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Which Way Shall I Turn Me, How Shall I Decide? published by S. W. Fores in 1793 (etching)
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Which Way Shall I Turn Me, How Shall I Decide? published by S. W. Fores in 1793 (etching)
NCO190481 Which Way Shall I Turn Me, How Shall I Decide? published by S.W. Fores in 1793 (etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College, Oxford; (add.info.: the dilemma faced by Charles James Fox (1749-1806) when his support for the French Revolution was considered seditious; ); English, out of copyright
Media ID 23356270
© Bridgeman Images
Betrayed Bleak Choice Corpulent Dagger Despairing Dishevelled Excluded Forsaken Gibbet Hanging Miserable Noose Pistol Pistols Political Satire Radical Whig Rotund Stabbing Suicide Traitor Treachery Unkempt Unpatriotic Unpopular Bulging Eyes Pariah
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The etching titled "Which Way Shall I Turn Me, How Shall I Decide?" published by S. W. Fores in 1793 captures the profound dilemma faced by Charles James Fox during a tumultuous period in history. This political satire depicts Fox, a prominent statesman and radical Whig, at a crossroads as his support for the French Revolution is deemed seditious. In this bleak and disheveled scene, Gillray portrays Fox as a corpulent figure with bulging eyes and wild hair, reflecting his despairing state of mind. Seated alone, he contemplates his choices while surrounded by symbols of treachery and betrayal: pistols, daggers, poison bowls, and even a noose hanging ominously nearby. The artist masterfully conveys the weight of Fox's decision through visual cues that emphasize his isolation and unpopularity. His rotund figure symbolizes both physical excesses and political unpopularity. The portrait highlights the internal struggle within him - torn between remaining true to his radical ideals or succumbing to societal pressure. This satirical print serves as a scathing commentary on Fox's perceived unpatriotic actions during this divisive era. It exposes him as an outcast among politicians – forsaken and disliked for his controversial beliefs. Gillray's etching encapsulates the complexity of decision-making in times of great turmoil while shedding light on the consequences one may face when standing against prevailing sentiments.
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