{"product_id":"the-marriage-contract-william-hogarth","title":"The Marriage Contract - William Hogarth","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe first scene of William Hogarth's Marriage A-la-Mode series, depicting the cynical negotiation of an arranged marriage between two aristocratic families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marriage Contract is the first scene in William Hogarth's six-part series, Marriage A-la-Mode. This work depicts the negotiation of a marriage settlement between the Earl Squanderfield and a wealthy city merchant. The scene takes place in the Earl's drawing room, where the two fathers arrange the union of their children, who appear indifferent to one another. The young Viscount Squanderfield admires his own reflection in a mirror, while the merchant's daughter, Lady Squander, listens to the lawyer Silvertongue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHogarth uses the setting to convey his critique of aristocratic vanity and greed. The room is filled with paintings and architectural plans, suggesting the Earl's attempt to display status despite his financial decline. The gout-ridden Earl points to his family tree, which traces his lineage back to William the Conqueror, while the merchant examines the marriage settlement. The visual details, such as the dogs chained together in the foreground, serve as a commentary on the nature of the arranged marriage itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis painting demonstrates Hogarth's ability to combine narrative storytelling with social observation. His approach to composition directs the viewer's eye across the room, linking the various figures through their interactions and postures. The palette is dominated by muted tones, which allows the brighter garments of the central figures to draw attention to their status and character. By focusing on the transactional nature of the event, Hogarth provides a clear view into the social conventions of eighteenth-century London. The work remains a primary example of his narrative style, where every object and gesture contributes to the broader story of the series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/apotheosis-of-hercules-giovanni-domenico-tiepolo\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eApotheosis of Hercules - Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo — Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/titlepage-receuil-de-dessus-de-porte-gabriel-huquier\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eTitlepage (Receuil de Dessus de Porte) - Gabriel Huquier — Gabriel Huquier\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"William Hogarth","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58574141456719,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58574155415887,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58574155448655,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58574155481423,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58574155514191,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58574155546959,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58574155579727,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58574155612495,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58574155645263,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58574155678031,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58574155710799,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58574155743567,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/The-Marriage-Contract_Poster_CompositorV1_1787799723477.jpg?v=1787800302","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/the-marriage-contract-william-hogarth","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}