Scene IV - Tongue. Couple Arguing 1877

This humorous black and white lithograph by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge is part of the "The Tale of a Wedded Life" series, created in 1877. The scene depicts a couple engaged in a heated argument, represented as a dog and his wife. The wife, a female bulldog, is sitting on a chair, sewing. The husband, a bulldog, is sitting on another chair holding a baby while smoking a pipe and appearing discontented. This satirical artwork, which has been interpreted as a comment on marriage and domestic life, is a great example of Coolidge's talent for capturing the humorous side of everyday situations. "Tongue" is the fourth scene in the series, suggesting a story unfold across various scenes. The image is drawn in a detailed manner, focusing on the expressions of the dogs. This scene is a classic example of "animal anthropomorphism" in art.