The Successful Fortune Hunter 1812

This satirical print was etched by Thomas Rowlandson in 1811, depicting a man escorting a wealthy, older woman to the temple of Hymen, the Greek god of marriage. Observe the symbolism of the umbrella held over the couple. Its presence speaks volumes—acting as a shield, protecting not from the elements but from public scorn, a common motif in depictions of unequal matches. But in the history of symbols, the umbrella's protective nature has roots in ancient times where it was used to shield royalty and religious figures. It then evolved into an emblem of status and authority in various cultures. Rowlandson also plays on the emotional tension between societal expectation and human desire. There's a raw, psychological element at play in the way the subjects' faces and body language convey emotions of greed, desperation, and perhaps a flicker of something more complex. The symbolism of the umbrella—now protection, now status—reflects the ever-shifting dance of meaning, a pattern repeated throughout history and culture.