William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, painter, and printmaker known for his visionary works that combined art and poetry. Largely unrecognized during his lifetime, Blake is now celebrated as a seminal figure in the Romantic Age. His notable works include the poetry collections “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience,” which explore themes of innocence and corruption. Blake’s art, characterized by its unique, expressive style, often illustrated his literary works. Deeply spiritual, his creations reflect his profound, often unconventional, views on religion and society, leaving a lasting impact on both literary and visual arts.
Early Life and Education
William Blake was born on November 28, 1757, in Soho, London, to James and Catherine Blake. His father was a hosier, a trade that provided the family with a modest but sufficient income. William was the second of seven children, though two of his siblings died in infancy. From an early age, Blake exhibited a strong imaginative streak and a profound interest in art and literature, which his parents nurtured. They enrolled him in Henry Pars’ drawing school, where he learned the basics of art.
Blake’s formal education was limited; he attended school only until the age of ten, after which he was homeschooled by his mother. This limited formal schooling, however, was balanced by the rich and varied education he received through his own reading and exploration. He was deeply influenced by the Bible, which would remain a central source of inspiration throughout his life. He also read widely in the literature of the time, including works by classical poets such as Virgil and Ovid, as well as contemporary writers like John Milton and the satirist William Hogarth.
Apprenticeship and Early Career
At the age of fourteen, Blake began an apprenticeship with the engraver James Basire. This apprenticeship lasted for seven years and provided Blake with a solid foundation in the techniques of engraving, which would become central to his work as both an artist and a poet. Basire’s assignments, which included making drawings of the Gothic churches in London, also had a lasting impact on Blake’s artistic style and his love for medieval and Gothic art.
After completing his apprenticeship in 1779, Blake enrolled in the Royal Academy of Arts, where he studied for a short time. However, he found the academic environment stifling and the emphasis on classical forms and techniques contrary to his own visionary style. Despite these challenges, he continued to develop his skills as an artist and engraver.
Marriage and Personal Life
In 1782, Blake married Catherine Boucher, the daughter of a market gardener. The marriage was a happy and supportive partnership, although it remained childless. Catherine was illiterate at the time of their marriage, but Blake taught her to read and write, and she became an invaluable assistant in his artistic and literary endeavors. She assisted him with printing and coloring his illuminated books and remained his staunch supporter throughout his life.
Illuminated Printing and Major Works
Blake’s unique method of illuminated printing, which he developed in the 1780s, allowed him to combine his poetry and visual art in a single medium. This technique involved etching his text and illustrations onto copper plates, printing them, and then hand-coloring each page. This labor-intensive process enabled Blake to maintain complete control over both the visual and textual elements of his work.
One of his earliest illuminated books, “Songs of Innocence” (1789), exemplifies Blake’s innovative approach. The collection of poems reflects themes of childhood, innocence, and divine love, accompanied by delicate and imaginative illustrations. In 1794, he expanded this work with “Songs of Experience,” which offered a darker and more cynical view of the world, portraying the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of life. Together, these collections form “Songs of Innocence and of Experience,” which Blake described as showing “the two contrary states of the human soul.”
The Prophetic Books and Mystical Visions
Blake’s work is characterized by its deeply mystical and visionary nature. He claimed to have experienced visions from a young age, including seeing angels in a tree and conversing with the spirits of historical figures. These visionary experiences profoundly influenced his art and poetry, leading to the creation of his so-called “prophetic books.”
Among these works are “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell” (1790-1793), a prose poem that challenges conventional morality and explores the dynamic interplay between good and evil. Blake’s “The Book of Urizen” (1794) and “The Book of Ahania” (1795) are part of a complex mythological narrative he created, populated by characters and deities of his own invention. These works reflect his unconventional views on religion, politics, and society, and his belief in the power of the human imagination.
Artistic Works and Illustrations
In addition to his illuminated books, Blake was a prolific artist and illustrator. His illustrations for Thomas Gray’s “Poems” (1797), the Bible, and John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” are particularly notable. Blake’s illustrations often provide a visual interpretation of the texts that complement and enhance their meanings. His ability to intertwine text and image into a cohesive and powerful whole set him apart from his contemporaries.
One of his most ambitious projects was “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri. Blake began this series of illustrations in 1824, and though he did not live to complete it, the surviving works demonstrate his ability to convey the complex themes of the text through his distinctive visionary style.
Later Years and Legacy
Blake’s later years were marked by relative obscurity and financial difficulties. Despite his prodigious output, he struggled to gain recognition and support from the broader artistic and literary communities of his time. However, he did have a small circle of loyal friends and patrons who recognized his genius and provided some financial support.
One of his most important supporters during this period was the painter John Linnell, who commissioned Blake to illustrate “The Book of Job.” These illustrations are among Blake’s most highly regarded works, demonstrating his mature style and profound understanding of the text.
Blake died on August 12, 1827, in London. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Bunhill Fields, though a memorial stone now marks the approximate location. At the time of his death, Blake was largely unknown to the general public, but his work had already begun to influence a new generation of artists and writers.
Posthumous Recognition and Influence
It was not until the mid-19th century that Blake’s work began to receive the recognition it deserved. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of English painters, poets, and critics, were among the first to champion his work, inspired by his unique fusion of visual art and poetry. Later, figures such as Algernon Charles Swinburne and William Butler Yeats further elevated Blake’s status as a pioneering figure in both literature and art.
In the 20th century, Blake’s work continued to gain prominence, influencing a wide range of artistic movements and cultural figures. His visionary approach and exploration of themes such as the interplay of innocence and experience, the critique of societal norms, and the celebration of the human imagination resonated with modernist and postmodernist sensibilities.
Blake’s influence can be seen in the works of poets such as T.S. Eliot and Allen Ginsberg, who admired his uncompromising vision and innovative use of language. His impact on visual art is equally profound, with artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Jean-Michel Basquiat drawing inspiration from his imaginative and symbolic style.