William Blake – Self Portrait
Blake’s technical skills as an engraver meant that he was in high demand
as an illustrator, a career he abandoned to pursue a more imaginative art.
William Blake – The Tyger
Here, Blake asks the age-old question: If God is benevolent, why is there
evil in the world? His response is surprising and somewhat unsettling.
William Blake – The Lamb
The Lamb provides a counterpoint to The Tyger and, taken together, they
force viewers/readers to reevaluate their assumptions.
William Blake – The Chimney Sweeper
Included in The Songs of Innocence, the poem and its illustration
conveys a bitter sense of irony regarding this important social issue.
William Blake – The Chimney Sweeper
As one of the poems of Experience, the illustration uses tone and design
composition to provide a grim critique of child labour.
William Blake – Songs of Innocence
Blake’s collections of poems appeared in multiple versions and editions,
and frequently differ in design and/or colouration.
William Blake – Songs of Innocence
and Experience
Blake’s collections of poems appeared in multiple versions and editions,
and frequently differ in design and/or colouration.
William Blake – Songs of Innocence
and Experience
Blake’s collections of poems appeared in multiple versions and editions,
and frequently differ in design and/or colouration.
William Blake – London
Despite its rather “pretty” appearance, London is a scathing indictment of
the period’s urban conditions. Visual details support this theme.
William Blake – A Negro Hung Alive
Blake’s social conscience extended to the plight of African slaves, an
issue that was growing in significance in both Europe and America.
William Blake – Dante and Virgil at the Gates of Hell
Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, this illustration reflects Blake’s
interest in and knowledge of great works of literature.
William Blake – Lear and Cordelia in Prison
This illustration, designed for an edition of Shakespeare’s famous
tragedy, unites textual accuracy with personal vision.
William Blake – The Body of Abel Found by Adam and Eve
The Bible and Christian tradition were major influences on Blake;
however, for him, they were primarily fuel for the imagination.
William Blake – Nebuchadnezzar
The Bible and Christian tradition were major influences on Blake;
however, for him, they were primarily fuel for the imagination.
William Blake – Great Red Dragon
The Bible and Christian tradition were major influences on Blake;
however, for him, they were primarily fuel for the imagination.
William Blake – The Omnipotent
Blake’s vision of God and creation reflect contemporary views that
included scientific concepts as an integral part of their belief system.
William Blake – Isaac Newton
In a theological system that conceived of God as the Great Designer,
Newton often became elevated to the rank of demi-God.
William Blake – The Good and Evil Angels
Traditional religion becomes transformed by Blake into a new theology,
one that consciously disrupts conventional beliefs and assumptions
William Blake – The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (cover)
This new theology of the imagination finally evolved as full collections of
engravings and poetry that explore the artist’s emerging philosophy.
William Blake – Los Entering the Grave
Blake’s works frequently feature settings and characters (Los, for
example) that are purely imaginative and/or symbolic.