Tax (as lawyers) not like in ancient times.
Apparently, this is because, what, in the words of Jean B. Colbert (French Finance Minister of 1665 year), taxation – pluck the goose is an art so, To get the most feathers with the minimum squeak.
Interesting, the role assigned to injustice Themis.
Satirical series "Fashion marriage" William Hogarth was the first in England, that ridicules the manners of high society. It shows the history of marriage and subsequent family life son of an impoverished nobleman and wealthy merchant's daughter. In all six scenes clearly worked out the figures of characters and elaborate interior. At that time, fashionable marriages were very common among impoverished aristocrats, who wanted to get close to the rich bourgeoisie, This was the inspiration for Hogarth. In this series, the artist makes fun situation, which were people from immoral society, as heroes paintings evoke the viewer rather pity, than ridicule. Based on a series of further Hogarth created a series of prints. The real series has been evaluated only in the XX century. Now all six paintings from the series are in the National Gallery in London.
"The marriage contract" – The first episode of series, which shows the signing of the marriage contract. remarkable, that the couple did not look at each other: bride admires her reflection in the mirror, bride flirting with another guy, attorney named Silvertonh. Father Earl Skvander groom holding a scroll depicting the family tree, and the father of the bride – marriage contract. Parents of the couple are more interested in the marriage of children, than themselves. Through marriage, the family of the groom avoid financial collapse, and the family of the bride buy bonds in high society.
In the film there are a few characters. This dog, constrained by a chain and represent described marriage and paintings on the walls ("David and Goliath", "Martyrdom of St.. Lawrence ", "The murder of Abel", "St.. Sebastian", "Judith and Holofernes"), which portend the sad end of this plan.
The second episode describes a morning in the life of the couple. Clocks on the wall show 1:20. Wife energetic and happy, From what we can conclude, she only got, and the man, according to the suit and hat, all night spent away from home. From his pocket sticking ladies cap, who became interested in dog, but he did not even notice. At the feet of man lying broken sword. Maybe, This hint of his impotence. From the control room goes estate, holding a unpaid bills and only one paid. Disorder in the room suggests holiday, which continued recently. There is a picture on the wall, depicting Cupid among the ruins. Cupid playing the bagpipes, but he has no arrows. This represents a failed marriage.
Countess spent the evening playing cards. At her feet is Edmond Hoyle book (Edmond Hoyle) to whist, and a little more scattered deck of cards. Unlike her husband, she cheerful and potyahuyetsya. Sitting in it being not feminine pose with legs wide apart. At skirts Countess seen large wet spot. Half-closed eyes, it looks as if the right and using a handheld mirror gives a signal to someone, who is outside the picture.
On the wall in the back room hang portraits of three apostles and one picture, probably, so obscene, its green curtain closed, through which can be seen only naked foot.
The action takes place in the third episode room doctor-charlatan named de la Pill. Dr. Viscount visited with mistress, standing right of it, which is still very young, and her mother. Judging by the black spot on the neck, Viscount sick venereal disease. Doctor advised to take Viscount mercury pills, were considered at the time of treatment for venereal disease. Apparently, pills had no effect, and therefore everyone from Dr. require treatment other way. Box of pills holding Doctor and girl, Another box is in a chair Viscount. Viscount raised his cane threateningly, and estimated the mother holding a knife.
"Boudoir Countess" describes Countess morning toilet, during which it hosts and flirting with her lover – thereby Silvertonhom, with whom she flirted on the first picture. they, a lawyer freely settled on the couch, talks about his special position among the guests. It shows the Countess invitation for masquerade ball. Behind the lady stands hairdresser Skvander, checks the temperature curlers on paper. Countess sits left of her friend, captured opera singer. Opera singer sings to the accompaniment of flute. These two gentlemen are listening, one of them has not gone out of sleepiness and brings to his lips a cup of hot chocolate, and the other pretends, if the singer listens and tries to conduct. They were portly gentleman sitting, which began to snore with your mouth open. He could not stand boredom, reigning in this technique. Judging by the stack, he holds, This rustic Squire.
Since the wedding took place some time, artist emphasizes this with two parts. The mirror on the table and a bed topped with a crown, which means, father dead man, and he became a man count. On the back of the chair Countess red ribbon hanging from coral dummy, hints, that the countess was the mother. Maybe, Nanny has brought the child for a morning kiss and forgot nipple.
countess, Being the daughter of a merchant, became aristocrat, trying to replicate the ritual of "morning release of the King" (fr. Sunrise king), that practiced at the French court. It consisted of "small release" (small lift), when senior officials informed King latest news, and "high yield" (big lift) – more open reception, where King drank chocolate, it dressed and put on his wig. The painting shows, how happy lady Skvander something like "high yield". It morning dress, and kneeling clock, showing two o'clock. When the barber finished his job, countess, probably, clothe original dress and go put Visits. This is evidenced by many invitations, lying under a chair that one of the musicians. Some invitations written on the back of playing cards. Thus, the artist shows, that card games were common pastime surrounded Countess.
Probably, the full Singer, shown in the bottom left corner of the picture, – castrate. He is wearing a suit too lavish, ear – earring, all fingers wearing rings, tie pin with diamonds, a buckle on the pants and shoes and diamond encrusted. Slim flute comical contrast to the thick singer, whose silk vest barely holding back his full body.
On the floor near the Countess things are, bought it at auction. Among them have not been able to remove the number plates. Servant – African boy in the Indian turban shown in the figure with antlers – symbol deceived husband. This statue depicts Actaeon, Artemis is transformed into a deer for, he saw her naked while swimming. After that Actaeon was torn by own dogs. In the basket along with the statuette is a tray, which has the, copulate like Leda and the swan. This erotic story chosen by chance Hogarth. He hints at prohibitive fun and infidelity in marriage, After all, Leda, and Zeus, turned into a swan, betrayed their wives.
At the feet of attorney artist placed a book, where you can see the name «Le Sopha». It's scandalous novel "Sofa" by French writer Claude Krebiyon, written in the early 1740's. and soon translated into English. It tells of a man, Brahma punished, that was the sofa in the next life. So protagonist witnessed the affair, that took place rather than out of passion, and boredom. The book was written in elegant language, which allowed the imagination to roam, which quickly made it popular.
The painting contains many hints of trouble, that is looming.
The action unfolds in the fifth episode Bahnio (house, where you can rent a room). Judging by the costumes and masks, lying on the floor, Countess returned from a lawyer and masquerade and removed the room, where there was a betrayal of her husband. Graph, that followed them, entered the room and found them.
It was decided to find out all through the duel with swords. During the duel Count fatally wounded. His rival ran to the window, the owner ran into the room and the guard Bahnio. At this point, the countess kneeling man and asks for forgiveness. On the wall hang pictures of "court of Solomon" and a portrait of a courtesan.
Last episode describes death of the Countess. After reading a newspaper, which is lying at her feet, that Silvertonh executed, Countess takes deadly poison. It teaches daughter to farewell. On the face of the daughter of scab black spot – sign of syphilis, inherited from her father, In addition, it limps on one leg. So the artist highlights, that the offspring of this family is unlikely to survive. Since the couple has no children male, lost title. Father Countess takes her hand wedding ring, little away doctor talking to a minister and accused him in acquiring poisons. On the walls hang paintings of Flemish artists, describing the life of the lower classes. Dog food reaches the table.
