Encouragement of Engraving 1754

This etching, "Encouragement of Engraving," was made by William Hogarth in 1764. The print overflows with symbols of authority: a crown hovers at the apex of a radiant triangle, presiding over a jumble of royal regalia. The crown, a potent symbol of sovereignty and divine right, has its roots in ancient headdresses denoting power, such as the Pharaonic crowns of Egypt. Here, bathed in light, the crown dominates the composition, yet it rests above a chaotic pile, suggesting an inversion of order. The radiant triangle, reminiscent of religious iconography, further complicates the meaning. We see echoes of the "all-seeing eye". Consider the psychological weight of these symbols. They represent not just political power but also a deep-seated human desire for order and authority. Hogarth seems to be playing with these collective memories and subconscious associations, questioning the very foundations of power through the subversion of iconic imagery. The crown, once a symbol of unwavering authority, is now part of the disorder in the pile. It marks the cyclical nature of symbols and their meanings.