William Blake

William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker whose works are now among the most important of the Romantic period. Blake was a visionary artist who stood out not only for his artistic abilities but also for his profound philosophical and mystical beliefs. He grew up in a time of great political and social upheaval, which greatly influenced his works. Blake spent most of his life in London, where he also trained as an engraver. Despite his talent and innovative techniques, he remained largely unrecognized during his lifetime and lived in poverty.

Blake's art and poetry are characterized by their symbolism and deep spiritual themes. He developed a unique method of color printing, which he called "Illuminated Printing", which allowed him to produce his poems and illustrations in one process. His works cover a wide range of topics, including religion, politics and personal visions, which are often considered cryptic and difficult to interpret. Blake was convinced of the existence of a spiritual world and saw himself as a medium through which divine messages were transmitted. He translated these beliefs into complex mythological systems that permeate much of his work.

Interesting fact:

William Blake had visions in his childhood that had a strong influence on his entire work. He claimed to have seen God at the age of four and a group of angels in a tree at the age of eight. These spiritual experiences shaped his artistic and poetic vision and led to him often being viewed as eccentric or even crazy by his contemporaries.

Important Artworks & Images by William Blake:

• "The Ancient of Days" (1794)
• "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" (1790-1793)
• "Newton" (1805)
• "The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in Sun" (1805)
• "Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion" (1804-1820)
• "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" (1789)
• "The Tyger" (1794) from "Songs of Experience"
• "The Ghost of a Flea" (circa 1819-1820)
• "America a Prophecy" (1793)
• "Europe a Prophecy" (1794)