Isaac and Ede Antique Prints
Hogarth: Marriage à la Mode 1
Hogarth: Marriage à la Mode 2
Hogarth: Marriage à la Mode 3
Hogarth: Marriage à la Mode 4
Hogarth: Marriage à la Mode 5
Hogarth: Marriage à la Mode 6

William HOGARTH

Marriage à la Mode

Plate I - The Marriage Contract
Plate II - The Breakfast Scene
Plate III - The Scene with the Quack
Plate IV - The Countess's Levee
Plate V - The Death of the Earl
Plate VI - The Death of the Countess

A set of six copper plate engravings published in London, April 1st, 1745. Three French etchers and line engravers, Bernard Baron, Louis Gerard Scotin and Simon Francois Ravenet, engraved the plates after the designs of William Hogarth.

Hogarth is, perhaps, the best-known and most important engraver of the eighteenth century.  He began his career as an engraver on silver and did not produce his first engraving, a small trade card, until 1720.  From the moment that he completed the set of six paintings entitled Harlot’s Progress and the subsequent set of prints, Hogarth realised that he could convey his message to a much larger audience and profit from the sale of prints at the same time.  Immediately the prints were executed pirate copies were printed and it was this that prompted Hogarth to agitate for the passing of the ‘Engravers’ Copyright Act’, whereby the copyright of the artist’s design was protected for fourteen years.  His next famous series, The Rake’s Progress appeared after the law was enacted in 1735 and for the series Marriage à la Mode Hogarth employed the services of three French engravers, Baron, Scotin and Ravenet. 

STATES
Plate I
- 6th State
Two shadows on building but coronets on dogs and crutches still visible. (The first lettered state is the 5th)
Plate II - 3rd State
Lock on woman’s forehead is now engraved but shadows on cupid not yet strengthened. (The first lettered state is the 2nd)
Plate III - 2nd State
The bow tie is enlarged but the sole of his shoe has not been lightened. (The first lettered state was the 1st)
Plate IV - 3rd State
Shadow between dresses but no reworking of curtains. (The first lettered state is the 2nd)
Plate V - 4th State
Cross hatching on Silvertongue’s thighs and shadow to middle of Countess’s foot but teardrop still visible. (The first lettered state is the 2nd)
Plate VI - 2nd State
Countess’s dress is elaborated but Merchant’s coat has not been altered. (The first lettered state is the 2nd)

£4,750
Framed


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