Marriage a la Mode, Plate 2

Variously entitled “Early in the Morning” or “After the Marriage” or “The Tête à Tête,” the second plate in William Hogarth's Marriage à la Mode series depicts now-married couple who are already living very separate lives. The Viscountess stretches out in her chair, recovering from a long evening of entertaining at home as indicated by the book of whist, playing cards, and musical instruments lying on the floor – the house, like their marriage, is in disarray. The Viscount has just returned home after a night of carousing: a dog sniffs at a lady’s cap that peeks out of his pocket. In the background, a yawning servant attempts to put the house back in order. The Viscount’s frustrated steward carries a pile of bills to another room away from the spendthrift couple who have likely dismissed him. Their elaborate chamber is decorated in an exceedingly ornamental and fashionable manner, with high ceilings, paintings, and ceramic figures – all of which comment on the scene unfolding before them.