The young couple are seen in a large, well-furnished room that is in a state of disorder after a night's entertainment; the Viscount is collapsed in a chair having just arrived, the clock showing 1:20 a.m. His sword lies at his feet, broken, and a bonnet hangs from his pocket, suggesting his infidelity; the lap dog sniffs at him suspiciously. The wife's evening's activities at home 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 two violins, one with its case open, on the back of an overturned chair, suggesting the wife's own infidelity. The estate 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 or the ledger under his arm; in his pocket he carries a pamphlet entitled "Regeneration." Through an archway, a dishevelled and sleepy servant scratches his cap; the walls are decorated with paintings of religious figures. The decor includes an elaborate ormulu clock, chinese porcelain and figures (including a Buddha), a bust of a Roman matron, old master paintings (one, evidently erotic, is screened by a curtain).
Alternative Title:
Marriage a-la-Mode. Plate 2
Description:
Title engraved below image., State from Paulson, and After the painting "Tête à Tête" in the National Gallery, London.
A Tibetan Buddhist broadside illustration of the historical buddha (known also as Śakyamuni Buddha and Gautama Buddha) under assault by the forces of ignorance led by Mārā immediately prior to his enlightenment.
The fifth drawing in a series of twelve that follow a tradition of producing a series on modern morals, a tradition established earlier in the 18th century by artists such as William Hogarth. In this series, twin brothers are bestowed an equal fortune. One brother, Edward, husbands his wealth and on his death, passes on his fortune; whilst the other brother, Charles, squanders his, leaving his family destitute and In this fifth drawing, Edward sits in a parlor holding the hand of a young lady as she looks down demurely. Behind the couple, an older woman sits on a sofa sewing, her basket at the table before her. In addition to the fashionable sofa and chairs, the room is decorated with an ornate mirror with swags on the wall behind. On the wall to the left is a marble mantel with a Buddha and other decorative china
Description:
Title devised by cataloger., Text in faint pencil below image: Edward [illegible text]., Signed "Dodd" in lower left and numbered '5' in ink in the upper right., Date range based on artist's active dates., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Topic):
Blacks, Allegorical drawings, Buddhas, Courtship, Mirrors, Parables, Parlors, and Sewing
