Plate V from Marriage à la Mode 1745

Simon François Ravenet I engraved this print, Plate V from Marriage à la Mode, after William Hogarth's painting in 18th century England. It’s part of a series satirizing the social conventions of arranged marriages among the upper class. Ravenet's image provides a window into the private lives of the aristocracy, revealing their moral decay and the tragic consequences of prioritizing wealth over love. Visually, the scene is chaotic. A man falls, mortally wounded after surprising his wife with a lover. It's a commentary on the social structures of Hogarth's time, one in which aristocratic privilege allowed for moral laxity and personal ruin. The setting, a lavishly decorated but disheveled bedroom, underscores the contrast between outward appearances and inner corruption. Understanding the social and institutional context requires delving into the history of marriage practices, class structures, and artistic patronage of the time. By examining such artworks, along with other historical sources, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, society, and power.