William Blake – Self PortraitBlake’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 TygerHere, 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 LambThe Lamb provides a counterpoint to The Tyger and, taken together, they

force viewers/readers to reevaluate their assumptions.

William Blake – The Chimney SweeperIncluded 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 SweeperAs 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 InnocenceBlake’s collections of poems appeared in multiple versions and editions,

and frequently differ in design and/or colouration.

William Blake – Songs of Innocenceand Experience

Blake’s collections of poems appeared in multiple versions and editions, and frequently differ in design and/or colouration.

William Blake – Songs of Innocenceand Experience

Blake’s collections of poems appeared in multiple versions and editions, and frequently differ in design and/or colouration.

William Blake – LondonDespite 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 AliveBlake’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 HellInspired 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 PrisonThis 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 EveThe Bible and Christian tradition were major influences on Blake;

however, for him, they were primarily fuel for the imagination.

William Blake – NebuchadnezzarThe Bible and Christian tradition were major influences on Blake;

however, for him, they were primarily fuel for the imagination.

William Blake – Great Red DragonThe Bible and Christian tradition were major influences on Blake;

however, for him, they were primarily fuel for the imagination.

William Blake – The OmnipotentBlake’s vision of God and creation reflect contemporary views that

included scientific concepts as an integral part of their belief system.

William Blake – Isaac NewtonIn 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 AngelsTraditional 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 GraveBlake’s works frequently feature settings and characters (Los, for

example) that are purely imaginative and/or symbolic.