The Preaching of Knox before the Lords of the Congregation, 10th June 1559 1832

Editor: This is Sir David Wilkie's "The Preaching of Knox before the Lords of the Congregation, 10th June 1559." It feels incredibly dramatic, with these figures caught in such an intense moment. What symbols do you see at play in this painting? Curator: Notice how the light focuses on Knox, the preacher, but also illuminates the varied reactions of his audience. Consider the emotional weight carried by the opened books and the upturned faces, each symbolizing knowledge, power, and the struggle for religious authority. What do those gestures suggest to you? Editor: It's like each individual is having a personal reckoning with the message, wrestling with their faith and position. Curator: Precisely. Wilkie captures the cultural memory of a pivotal moment, using symbols of faith and defiance. The very architecture looms as a symbol of the established order being challenged. Editor: I hadn't considered the architecture itself as a symbol. It all feels so much more complex now. Curator: Visual symbols embed cultural memory. Hopefully you'll continue to decode them.