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Artists in 60 Seconds: William Blake

From , former About.com Guide

Public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; accessed 26 November 2008.

William Blake (British, 1757-1827). The Ancient of Days, 1794. Relief etching with watercolor. 23.3 x 16.8 cm. (9 1/8 x 6 7/8 in.).

British Museum, London

Movement, Style, School or Type of Art:

Romanticism

Date and Place of Birth:

November 28, 1757, London

Life:

William Blake existed on the very outer edge of sanity which, combined with his prodigious talent, made for a fascinating body of work. We categorize him as a Romantic, but his vision was unique and far ahead of that movement. He scraped by in poverty, painting, engraving and illustrating, in order to support his true love of writing poetry (for which he is best remembered). He illustrated the Book of Job, and had partially completed doing the same for Dante's Divine Comedy upon his death.

Important Works:

  • The Ancient of Days, 1794
  • Nebuchadnezzar, 1795
  • Satan Comes to the Gates of Hell, 1806
  • Ghost of a Flea, 1819-20

Date and Place of Death:

August 12, 1827, London

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