HET COMMITTE'VAN VOORLIGHTING. (The committe of enlightenment (or public instruction).), James Gillray, 1796

A lamp-lighter (left) stands dejectedly on his ladder which rests against a stone obelisk supporting a lamp whose glass is broken. The light has been extinguished by a blast from the head of a cherub emerging from clouds (right). A man wearing a cocked hat standing by the lamp-post tries in vain to get a spark from a flint. A stout citizen bends over a cup held by an old woman seated on the right, he stirs it and blows upon it, evidently trying to kindle a light. A dog befouls the obelisk. '. Ce committé se donne bien dela peine pour allumer la grande lanterne. Mais - le vent siffie - les verres sont cassé - comment les raccomoder ? - ' text, 'job', xviii. 5. 1796 etching printed in red and aquatint. Date: 1796. Dimensions: Height: 256 mm; Width: 210 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. HET COMMITTE'VAN VOORLIGHTING. (The committe of enlightenment (or public instruction).) (BM 1851,0901.1319)