Light Expelling Darkness,-Evaporation of Stygian Exhalations,-or-The Sun of the Constitution, Rising Superior to the Clouds of Opposition Possibly 1795

Editor: This etching by James Gillray, dating back to possibly 1795, is titled "Light Expelling Darkness…or-The Sun of the Constitution, Rising Superior to the Clouds of Opposition." It's packed with figures and symbols—what a title too! It strikes me as intensely allegorical. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Indeed, allegorical is the right word. Look at how Gillray employs the chariot of Apollo, a classical symbol of enlightenment and reason, drawn by a lion, itself representing British strength. Notice how the sun-like shield bears the words King, Lords, Commons, written in Hebrew, with what appears to be the Kabbalistic word, "hochma" - "wisdom"? This image seeks to position the British constitution as divinely ordained, an apex of human knowledge. Editor: So, the chaotic clouds being dispelled represent...ignorance or unrest? The figures lurking in the shadows look rather disgruntled. Curator: Precisely. These are likely caricatures of political opponents. See the scrolls emerging from the darkness? They represent opposing viewpoints being vanquished by the "Sun of the Constitution". The figure of Justice is key. Consider her stance – a defender of liberty? Or is she merely a symbol used to reinforce a specific political narrative? What effect do you think it had on its intended audience? Editor: I never would have thought to link all these elements, or seen some of the symbols without some explanation. It makes me consider how potent these images might have been to people who recognized those symbols so readily. Curator: Yes, Gillray wasn't just creating a picture; he was constructing a visual argument deeply rooted in the anxieties and aspirations of his time. Considering these symbolic images within the political landscape opens our perspective to the period’s popular culture. Editor: It's incredible how a single image can encapsulate such complex ideas, beliefs, and fears!