Marriage A-la-Mode: 3, The Inspection
- Artist: William Hogarth
- Date: about 1743
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the Marriage A-la-Mode: 3, The Inspection by William Hogarth. Painted in about 1743, it's an oil on canvas piece that showcases Hogarth's commentary on the excesses of the upper class.
In this scene, we see Viscount Squanderfield accompanied by a young girl and her mother, who is likely a madam. The Viscount's presence with the child suggests that he may be taking advantage of her. The doctor, M. de la Pillule, seems to be riddled with syphilis himself.
The painting is full of symbols and references that add to its satire. For example, the pills on the table are made from black mercury, indicating that they're ineffective against venereal disease. The objects in the doctor's consulting room reveal his multiple professions as a physician, surgeon, barber-surgeon, apothecary, and chemist.
The scene is also full of allusions to the consequences of promiscuity and excess. The little girl's presence with her mother suggests that she may be destined for a life of prostitution. Meanwhile, the doctor's own struggles with syphilis highlight the dangers of unchecked desires.
Hogarth's use of satire in this painting serves as a commentary on the social issues of his time, particularly the prevalence of venereal disease and the excesses of the upper class.
See it in person
Marriage A-la-Mode: 3, The Inspection hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
