Art, Ambition, and Elegance: How 1700s Paintings Reflect the Middle Class Rise
The 1700s were a time of big changes, especially for the middle class, who were beginning to gain more wealth and influence. Suddenly, art wasn’t just for the rich—it started to reflect the dreams and lifestyles of everyday people who were rising in society. In paintings like William Hogarth’s Marriage A-la-Mode, Sir Joshua Reynolds’ Lady Elizabeth Delmé and her Children, and Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s The Swing, we can see how the middle class used art to show off their new status and navigate the world of power and prestige.
William Hogarth, Marriage A-la-Mode, c. 1743, series of six paintings, oil on canvas, London
In this first of a series of six oil paintings called "Marriage A-la-Mode" by Hogarth, he depicts the consequences of arranged marriages between wealthy, status-conscious families. In Marriage A-la-Mode, Hogarth exposes the dark side of social climbing through an undeniable critique of arranged marriages. The series captures the obsession with status and wealth, especially within the middle class, who aspired to mimic the aristocracy. In this particularly unsettling scene, the young woman is a pawn in her father’s quest for upward mobility. The picture has a lot going on, we see the betrothed on the left of the painting, obviously uninterested in one another. The syphilis-ridden groom on the far left is seated next to his indifferent bride. She is being counseled by "Silver Tongue" who would later be hanged for killing her husband and being her secret lover. Meanwhile, their parents bargain with each other on a fair price for the bride while an architect daydreams about the blueprint ideas he has for the new house that will be built with the money gained from the betrothal. I would absolutely not own a copy of this painting. While the talent in this Fête Galante style painting is undeniable, the story behind not just this painting but the five that follow is too dark for my taste.
Sir Joshua Reynolds, Lady Elizabeth Delmé and her Children, 1777, oil on canvas, Titchfield Abbey, Hampshire
"Lady Elizabeth Delmé and her Children" by Sir Joshua Reynolds is an oil-painted portrait that shows us the increasing wealth of the middle class, focusing on their status and home life. This painting reflects the values of wealth, family, and propriety that were clearly becoming more idealized as the middle class rose in power. In Lady Elizabeth Delmé and her Children, Reynolds captures the essence of elegance in a way that feels warm and familiar. Lady Delmé exudes grace with her carefully styled hair and beautifully draped gown. By commissioning these types of works, families like hers aimed to showcase their success and align themselves with the aristocratic tradition while still showing their domestic virtues. Reynolds makes Lady Delmé look almost regal, reflecting how the middle class wanted to project their achievements and aspirations through art. I don't know that I would want to own this particular piece. There isn't much about it that I particularly resonate with, but I do enjoy the orange and brown color scheme that gives it a warm energy.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing, 1767, oil on canvas, London
"The Swing", is an erotic Rococo-style oil painting by Fragonard. Though more frivolous and lighthearted, it still reflects the luxurious, carefree life of the wealthy, capturing their indulgence and flirtation. To me, this reflects how the rising economic class could afford such luxury and leisure, as this type of vain and unnecessary consumerism was increasing among the middle class, and it wasn’t cheap. Fragonard creates a scene that feels like something straight out of a whimsical Disney movie. Dressed in beautiful high-end clothing, the couple is so blissfully happy, and the colors are so vibrant that it almost seems unreal! It’s like everyone is living their best life, indulging in borderline erotic fun. This piece shows how the rising middle class started using art to express not just their power but also their love for pleasure. Especially since this piece was privately commissioned for a couple.
All these works demonstrate how economic prosperity was changing the dynamics of class and society in the 1700s. Artists like Hogarth, Reynolds, and Fragonard captured the complexities of this era, showcasing the middle class’s desire for respectability, family values, and enjoyment.
Works Cited:
Dr. Ashley Bruckbauer, "Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing," in Smarthistory, February 26, 2021, accessed October 14, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/jean-honore-fragonard-the-swing/.
Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "William Hogarth, Marriage A-la-Mode," in Smarthistory, December 11, 2015, accessed October 9, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/william-hogarth-marriage-a-la-mode/.
Lady Elizabeth Delmé and Her Children." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 4 Oct. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Elizabeth_Delm%C3%A9_and_Her_Children. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.
"The Swing." Artble, www.artble.com/artists/jean-honore_fragonard/paintings/the_swing. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.
I enjoyed your analysis of these three paintings, particularly Lady Elizabeth Delmé and her Children. I appreciate how you highlight the woman's beauty in the portrait and the emotions reflected in her expression. It’s intriguing how she appears almost detached from her children, creating a sense of otherworldliness that speaks volumes about the ideals surrounding motherhood and domesticity during that time. Your observation about her regal presence is spot-on, and it encapsulates the aspiration of the rising middle class to align themselves with aristocratic values.
ReplyDeleteAs for Fragonard’s The Swing, I couldn’t agree more! The pastel colours and playful composition create a sense of lightness and freedom that is truly enchanting. You've touched on an essential critique of the era—with the rise of the middle class came an increased emphasis on consumerism and leisure, which Fragonard captures beautifully. This painting indeed resonates as a reflection of the frivolous pursuits that became more accessible to the burgeoning middle class, emphasising how art began to serve not just as a status symbol but also as a medium for playful self-expression.
Your understanding of the broader historical context of the classical era, where societal shifts were redefining class dynamics and cultural outputs, is impressive. The growing power of the middle class in the 1700s not only influenced the themes in art but also marked a transition in patronage, as your examples illustrate. It's clear that you recognize how artists like Hogarth, Reynolds, and Fragonard navigated these changes, ultimately producing works that revealed both the aspirations and the underlying tensions of this transformative period.
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ReplyDeleteHey, I appreciate your analysis of all three paintings. I especially like your analysis of The Swing by Fragonard. I agree with your take on The Swing. The color choices give the painting a youthful appearance. I agree with you that early 1700s paintings were in relation to the middle class rising up to wealthier levels. They wanted artwork that represented the lifestyle that they were attempting to have.
ReplyDeleteHey Lexi,
ReplyDeleteI like the examples you gave and their analyses. I also love Fragonard's The Swing. Its texture creates a hazy effect to the whole scene, like you said, "a whimsical Disney movie." It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland, both the animated and live-action films. I was equally perturbed by Hogarth's Marriage A-la-Mode. I don't like that type of dark humor.
I liked reading your post and the analyses you gave to each painting you chose. What caught my interest with your analysis of The Swing by Fragonard. I liked your description of how his style of painting as well as the color choices gave the painting a youthful appearance. Also, your historical insight during this time period really helped express the theme chosen for this post. As well as helped with understanding the historical context. I picked the same theme for my blog, but reading your post I learned new things that I previously didn't know / pick up on during my own research. Great job!
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