Polygamy 1787 - 1802

Edward Williams the Elder produced this print, called 'Polygamy,' in England in the late 18th century, a period of sharp social satire in visual culture. The image depicts a scene of domestic discord. A man, seemingly a sailor, is caught between two women, one holding a child and the other fashionably dressed. This work touches upon the complexities of social and marital norms of its time, hinting at themes of infidelity and bigamy, but it also makes a bolder comment about social inequality. The contrast in dress between the two women implies class differences, suggesting that marriage and relationships could be transactional and exploitative. The composition’s focus on conflict reflects the social tensions brewing in British society, amid political and economic upheaval. Historians can use sources like conduct books, legal documents, and popular literature to understand the social context in which 'Polygamy' was produced and received. Such investigations illuminate how art both reflects and shapes our understanding of social life.