Who painted The Tête à Tête?

The Tête à Tête was painted by William Hogarth in 1745.

Where can I see The Tête à Tête?

The Tête à Tête is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Tête à Tête?

The Tête à Tête is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Tête à Tête?

Museum-quality prints of The Tête à Tête are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Tête à Tête

William Hogarth , 1745

The Tête à Tête is a work on paper by the Baroque artist William Hogarth. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1959.311.2
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Curtiss Rose

About this work

Overview

The Tête à Tête is a painting by William Hogarth, created in 1743-1745 as part of his Marriage A-la-Mode series, a satirical commentary on the upper class.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows a couple in a domestic setting, with the man seated and the woman standing beside him, conveying a sense of quiet, intimate conversation. The painting critiques the moral decay associated with arranged marriages among the English upper class.

Technique & Style

Hogarth's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene. The room is richly detailed, with various objects and an archway leading to another space, contributing to the overall sense of dimensionality.

Context

The Tête à Tête is part of a series of six paintings that narrate the story of a marriage between two members of the upper class, satirizing the societal norms and moral failings of Hogarth's time.