Artwork

The Married Man

The Married Man, by Samuel Alken, ink, 1786
The Married Man, by Samuel Alken, ink, 1786

The Married Man is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Samuel Alken. It dates from 1786 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Married Man is a print created by Samuel Alken in 1786 using hand-colored etching and aquatint techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a lively gathering in a room with multiple figures, including a man in a blue coat and a woman with a child. The title suggests a connection to family life, but the atmosphere appears chaotic rather than serene.

Technique & Style

Alken employed loose, sketchy lines to convey a sense of movement and energy in the composition, characteristic of his etching style.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Samuel Alken

Artist

Samuel Alken

Samuel Alken (1756–1815) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.