The artwork titled “Blowing off about his new Copyright Act” is crafted by the artist William Hogarth and belongs to the Rococo art movement. This allegorical painting is an expression of the importance and impact of legislative measures on the arts, specifically highlighting the enactment of a new Copyright Act.
The artwork is a detailed illustration featuring a wealth of symbolic objects and elements. At the center of the composition, a radiant crowned figure draws the viewer’s attention, symbolizing authority and enlightenment. Surrounding this central figure are various regal and scholarly items, such as crowns, scepters, musical instruments, and books, suggesting the broad scope of the arts and intellectual pursuits being afforded protection and recognition. An inscription beneath the visual elements extols the virtues of the legislative efforts, praising the grace and goodness of the Legislature and the support extended to the arts, particularly mentioning the relief from “Tyranny Frauds & Piracies” and the encouragement of industrious and genius efforts in artistic endeavors. The scene is rich with iconography, promoting an atmosphere of intellectual elevation and cultural sophistication, consistent with the Rococo style’s characteristic ornamental elegance.
