The color yellow came as an evidence to symbolise the light in the darkness. James transformes the Lady Liberty into a kind of Madonna protectress of humanity, the Liberty torch into a lighting sword that shines in the dark sky. For the background of the painting, James was also inspired by the ashes from the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius which buried the city of Pompei and Herculaneum in 79 AD.

«Painting is not made to decorate the apartments; it is an offensive and defensive weapon against the enemy».  Pablo Picasso, written about his painting Guernica.