The scene shows the young newlyweds at breakfast in a large, well-furnished room but in a state of disorder as after a night's entertainment. The night's activities are suggested by the book "Hoyle on whist" open on the rug in the middle of the floor, a deck of cards on the floor below a card table in the next room, and in the foreground a violin in its open case sits on the back of an overturned chair, a second violin case beside it. The steward walks away in disgust at his apparent failure to engage either the husband or the wife in addressing the wad of bills that he has in his hands. Through an archway, a dishevelled and sleepy servant scratches his cap; the walls are decorated with paintings of religious figures
Alternative Title:
Marriage à la mode. Pl. II
Description:
Title and plate number etched below image., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., In lower left corner: Size of picture 3 ft. x 2 ft. 4 in., The portrait of the rake is said to be of Francis Hayman, and the steward, Mr. Edward Swallow, butler to Archbishop Herring. See J.C. Smith., No. 2 in a series of 6 images; this one known as "The breakfast scene.", and Cf. Paulson, R. Hogarth's graphic works (3rd ed.), no. 159.
Publisher:
Pubd. Jun 4, 1796 by J. & J. Boydell, No. 90 Cheapside & at the Shakespeare Gallery, Pall Mall, London
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Name):
Hayman, Francis, 1708-1776, Hogarth, William, 1697-1764., and Swallow, Edward
