Art

es were very popular in England during the 18th century. They represented members of the same family or close friends having tea, playing cards, or simply talking to one another. Hogarth said that his picture was his stage, and men and women his players.
Later two ideas came to Hogarths mind. One idea was to paint moral drama of life in series of pictures. The second one was to make engravings. His first success came with his moral series "The Harlots Progress". It showed a country girl in London.
The masterpiece of the series was the famous "Marriage-a la- Mode". This set of pictures describes a marriage between the daughter of a rich man and a young lord. Id like to describe one of them which is called "Before the marriage" On the right we can see Lord Squanderfield pointing to his family tree. His family is ancient and noble, but he was wasted his fortune. He is fat and obviously eats to much. Outside, the builders have stopped work. There is no money to pay them, and without payment, they wont work. They are on strike!
Opposite him sits a wealthy merchant. Lord wants some of his money! The merchant has plenty of money, but his family hasnt a noble and ancient name. So, a marriage is arranged between their children. Lords son will marry the merchants daughter, and the two families will each get what they want. Lord will get the money and the merchants daughter will have a noble title. But does she look very happy? What is the lawyer suggesting to her? Lords son doesnt seem to care that the two will be shackled together in an arranged marriage. Can you see the two dogs in the corner? They are shackled together with a chain just like the unhappy couple.
Hogarths novelty in modern art was the expression in his pictures t