Portrait of actor Garrick and his wife by William Hogarth

The famous actor David Garrick was a close friend of Hogarth. In the picture, Garrick sits at the table and, propping his head in his hand, ponders the prologue to comedy. In front of him lie a few sheets of paper. His wife Eva Mary Vaigel, a successful dancer, was known to the public under the name “Mademoiselle Violet”.

In the picture, she tries to unseen the pen from the thoughtful husband’s hand. This motive animates the scene, creates the impression that it is accidentally seen, and the viewer is an unintended witness. This kind of game, giving the image lightness, is completely in the spirit of rococo.

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