that they are still tired at twenty-after-twelve (the time displayed on the clock over the husband’s head). If the previous observations merely hint at the signs of an unhappy marriage, the next few clues confirm infidelities on both parts. Perhaps most prominently, there is the upturned chair that suggests the mistress’ “music teacher, “a constant butt of sexual innuendo in this period) has had to make an undignified exit (Hallett 171). In the next room, a servant yawns as he straightens the chairs, which, along with the masque in the mistress’ hand, and the deck of cards strewn on the floor, implies that she threw an all-night masquerade/gaming session. We know it was she who gave the party because a the book on the floor in front of her, entitled Hoyle on whist, is a manual of card games. Furthermore, the husband was most likely out of the house for most of the night, as evidenced by the lace cap (suggesting a visit to a brothel) in his pocket that the dog is sniffing. His infidelities are confirmed by the black spot on his neck, an indication of syphilis. The broken sword on the floor beside his chair reveals that he was involved in some kind of fight and, metaphorically, hints at the possibility of impotency.Rather than conversing with his wife, the master of the house stares indifferently into space, ignoring the mess around him and the servant/accountant who leaves the room with a stack of bills in his hand and a disgusted look on his face. The accountant carries a stack of unpaid bills in one hand and a single receipt in the other, thus confirming that the couple cannot really afford the luxurious lifestyle they lead. The one receipt the accountant carries reads “1743,” which, along with the Hoyle card manual (published in 1742) confirms an 18th century setting. Even without knowledge of the other five Marriage la Mode paintings, These extravagant surroundings, combined with a...
