Hogarth, William (1697 London 1764). The Marriage Contract. Engraving by Ernst Ludwig Riepenhausen (1765 Göttingen 1840). (1807.) Inscribed: W. Hogarth inv. pinx. 1745. / E. Riepenhausen del. sc. 22.6 x 28 cm.

Marriage à-la-Mode I. – Riepenhausen’s reproduction of this immortal sujet – painted in 1745 – not least esteemed for its side-correctness in a fine early impression. – The wide lower margin with the series title trimmed to platemark. – The opening scene of this

“ most  beautiful  painted  satire  of  the  century ”

(Dobson in Thieme-Becker). The documents are sealed , the agreements lie open on the table :

“ Poor alderman, what now is all your temporary stock-jingling against this splendour and the trumpet-tone of an almost millenial forefame? … This little canapé scene contains then the germ from which the artist develops the whole with many fineness; here the spark glows, which now peu à peu becomes to heat, finally burning up to flames, by which everything falls in ”

(Lichtenberg).

On the one side the alderman paying in the common daughter equipped with richest dowry, opposite to him the palsied and bankrupt old count delivering the son descending from William the Conqueror. In view of all the financial benefits just received he self-assuredly shows his family tree. And as the formalities are settled the count’s lawyer can examine the construction of the new palace at his leisure from the window, while even at this moment the smooth young procurator of the financial party preferring more trivial interests is not willing to refrain from whispering sweet words into the ears of his client’s daughter. What will have results.
Offer no. 11,833 / EUR  289. / Export price EUR  275. (c. US$ 435.) + shipping

– – – The same in lithography by L. Blau. (1833-36.) Inscribed: (“Die Heirath nach der Mode. 1tes Blatt.”). 22.8 x 23.2 cm. – Extensive subtext à la Lichtenberg in German. – In the wide white margin right two tears backed acid-freely just as the lower right corner.
Offer no. 12,141 / EUR  184. (c. US$ 291.) + shipping

Complete copies of the set and further single plates available .

“ Thank you so much for The Fashion Etchings by Hollar. I am very nicely surprised and very very impressed … The presentation is very professional and everything look very good … and if you have some more interesting etchings by Hollar … please let me know ”

(Mrs. P. P., July 8, 2004)