Artwork
Marriage a la Mode: pl. 2
Marriage a la Mode: pl. 2 is an ink print by the Baroque artist Bernard Baron. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bernard Baron’s print *Marriage à la Mode*, plate 2, dates from 1745 and combines etching with engraving techniques. The work presents a densely populated interior where figures are engaged in various activities, creating a sense of disorder and theatricality.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts a woman seated at a table adjusting her hair, while a man lies on the floor in a discomposed posture. Another figure stands near a window holding a letter. The title suggests a commentary on marital discord, contrasting the woman’s composed demeanor with the man’s apparent distress.
Technique & Style
Baron employed both etching and engraving, allowing for fine line work alongside deeper, more expressive strokes. The intricate detailing of the crowded room—walls adorned with paintings, scattered books and shoes—demonstrates the artist’s skill in rendering texture and depth within a single plate.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑18th century, the print forms part of a series that explored contemporary social themes. It was produced in London, where Baron was active as a reproductive engraver, and later circulated among collectors interested in genre scenes and moralizing subjects.
Context
The work reflects the period’s fascination with domestic genre scenes that combined humor and moral instruction. Its crowded composition and emphasis on clutter echo the Rococo taste for lively, narrative interiors, while the subject matter aligns with Enlightenment concerns about marriage and social behavior.
Artist & collection
