Robertson (20th Century) - The Prophecy

ROBERTSON XXe Oil on canvas 60 x 73 cm (69 x 82 cm with the frame) Signed and dated lower left "Rbtsn / 1909" Very good condition Beautiful black frame with a black border Symbolist painting from the beginning of the 20th century made by an English or American artist named Robertson according to the signature. The subject is mysterious: a female prophet makes a speech to peasants who gather to listen to her. We note several symbols in this painting. The scene is located between the countryside and the city represented in the background by many houses. A figure from behind with a scythe recalls death mowing. The prophetess points her finger towards the sky and holds in her left hand what seems to be a lantern, symbol of the light of Truth that she brings. The yellow light that bathes the entire composition shows that we are in the setting sun. Finally, the couple at the bottom right seem to sign the painting, the man with the pipe in particular who is looking at us. In any case, he takes us to witness the act of prophecy that is being made. The painting is dated 1909. That year, England was experiencing a serious political crisis that began with the rejection of Lord George's "people's budget" on November 30, 1909, which provided for a progressive tax, by the House of Lords. The Chancellor of the Exchequer presented a tax reform including a tax on large landed property (land tax) and a "super tax" on high salaries. This reform caused a constitutional crisis with the rejection of the budget by the House of Peers with a conservative majority and the dissolution of Parliament on December 3, 1909.