William Hogarth painted the Marriage A-la-Mode series in the 1740’s as a satire on the prevalence of marriage for money or social status. In 1906, Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale presented The Uninvited Guest which may be considered an allegory on the same subject

The artist was described as “one of the last great exponents of the Pre-Raphaelite style”. Influenced by Byam Shaw, John Everett Millais and John William Waterhouse, her works display an elegant Victorian refinement

In this painting, the brightest and most distinct element is the pearly-silverish bridal gown, tended carefully by her maid following behind. The glamour of the wedding procession contrasts starkly with the somber character on the right, to whom the title refers

Cupido, which means "passionate desire" in Latin, is the god of affection and erotic love. Also known as Amor (“Love”), he is the son of the goddess Venus and often portrayed to be flying in the air. In this wedding scene, however, there is no place for Amor, who is tied to the ground and can only glance powerlessly at the bride; his quiver of arrows laid uselessly on his thigh

Eleanor was a devout Christian and some of her paintings were notable for their moralistic tones