The Ancient of Days (1794) is the most famous painting by William Blake, held by the British Museum in London. Newton and The Ancient of Days (1794) are the next two works the world knows best. From the 324 works of William Blake in our catalogue, here are the 100 that collectors and museum visitors look at most, with the year, the museum and the story of each.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 2026. Every masterpiece on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, at the size you choose.
Step closer to observe the way the light behaves within this composition. We find ourselves looking into a celestial orb, a glowing yellow circle that acts as a sun-like backdrop for the central figure. From this golden sphere, an aged, muscular man emerges in a dynamic, crouched pose. His long, flowing white hair and beard catch the light, creating a sense of movement against the deep blacks and dark browns…
William Blake's 1795 (and reworked in 1805) monotype, “Newton,” is far more than a portrait of the famed scientist; it’s a potent and layered statement on the boundaries of reason, the power of imagination, and the very nature of human perception. This artwork continues to captivate viewers today, sparking debate and offering fresh perspectives into Blake's unique artistic vision.
A Masterpiece of Visionary Art William Blake's "The Ancient of Days" is a profound and captivating artwork that embodies the essence of Romanticism and visionary art. Created in 1794, this piece is a frontispiece to Blake's prophetic work "Europe a Prophecy." It draws its name from one of God's titles in the Book of Daniel, reflecting Blake's deep spiritual and mystical inclinations. Subject and Composition The artwork features a central…
William Blake’s Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with Sun stands as a monumental achievement in Romantic art—a series of watercolour paintings born from Blake’s fervent engagement with biblical prophecy. Created between 1805 and 1810, these canvases weren't merely decorative; they were meticulously crafted to illuminate the Book of Revelation, embodying Blake’s singular vision of spiritual struggle and divine triumph.
A Vision of Cosmic Conflict: William Blake’s “The Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun” William Blake's 1805 watercolour, *The Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun*, is a powerful testament to the artist’s unique vision and his place within the Romantic movement. This work isn’t merely an illustration; it’s a vibrant embodiment of spiritual struggle and apocalyptic prophecy drawn directly from the Book of Revelation.…
William Blake, a figure perpetually adrift from the conventional currents of his era, remains one of the most profoundly influential artists and poets of the Romantic Age. His work transcends mere representation; it's an immersive journey into realms of mysticism, symbolism, and deeply personal visions. “Satan Exulting over Eve,” created in 1795 as a pen drawing, stands as a potent emblem of this artistic philosophy – a meticulously crafted narrative…
William Blake's "Elohim Creating Adam," painted in 1795 and now residing within the hallowed halls of the Tate Gallery in London, is far more than a biblical illustration; it’s a profound meditation on creation, humanity’s nascent potential, and the very nature of divine power. This watercolor masterpiece transcends its subject matter to become a window into Blake's intensely personal and visionary worldview – a world where spirituality and artistic expression…
William Blake, a prominent British artist known for his engravings and paintings, created the masterpiece 'Satan Watching the Caresses of Adam and Eve'. This painting is currently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, United States) and is an excellent example of Romanticism. At AllPaintingsStore.com, we offer a high-quality reproduction of this painting to add to your art collection.
William Blake's "The Lovers’ Whirlwind, Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta," painted in 1824-27, isn’t merely a depiction of a tragic love story; it’s a visceral exploration of passion, guilt, and the destructive power of desire. Housed within the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, this monumental canvas—measuring an impressive 374 x 530 cm—commands attention not just for its scale but for the turbulent energy radiating from its central figures. Blake…
A Vision of the Mystical: William Blake’s Hecate William Blake (1757-1827), a titan of English Romanticism, wasn't merely a painter or poet; he was a visionary. His works transcend simple representation, delving into realms of mythology, spirituality, and the human psyche. This watercolor painting, *Hecate*, created between 1823-1825, exemplifies Blake’s unique artistic language and enduring fascination with ancient archetypes. Decoding the Goddess: Subject & Symbolism The artwork depicts Hecate, the…
Step closer and observe the way the light seems to emanate from within the central orb. In this work, we encounter a figure of immense, muscular presence, appearing…
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A Vision of Divine Radiance: Exploring William Blake’s “The Sun at His Eastern Gate” “The Sun at His Eastern Gate,” created around 1820, is a captivating watercolor illustration…
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William Blake’s “Songs of Innocence,” published in 1789, stands as a cornerstone of Romantic art and literature—a testament to the artist's singular ability to fuse poetic imagination with…
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Milton’s Mysterious Dream: A Visionary Descent into Paradise Lost William Blake’s “Milton’s Mysterious Dream” (1820) is a captivating watercolor painting that plunges the viewer into the turbulent world…
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A Vision of Cosmic Conflict: William Blake’s “The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in Sun” William Blake's 1806 watercolor, *The Great Red Dragon and the Woman…
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A Vision of Spiritual Awakening: William Blake’s “The Resurrection” William Blake's "The Resurrection" is a profoundly moving pencil drawing that encapsulates the core tenets of Romanticism – spiritual…
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William Blake's El Gran Dragón Rojo y la Mujer Vestida de Sol (The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun) isn’t merely a painting; it’s…
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In the swirling, feverish depths of William Blake’s 1805 masterpiece, The Great Red Dragon and the Beast from the Sea, we are not merely observers of a biblical…
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A Descent into the Subconscious: Blake’s Vision of Dante's Hell This dramatic watercolor painting by William Blake plunges viewers directly into the terrifying landscape of Dante Alighieri’s *Inferno*.…
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William Blake’s “The Temptation and Fall of Eve” is not merely an illustration; it's a profound distillation of John Milton’s epic poem, "Paradise Lost," rendered with the intensity…
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A Portrait of Spiritual Struggle: Exploring William Blake’s Nebuchadnezzar William Blake's "Nebuchadnezzar," completed in 1795, stands as a haunting testament to the artist’s profound engagement with biblical prophecy…
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Painted in 1794, William Blake’s “The Man With Arms Outstretched” is more than a simple depiction of a figure; it’s a raw distillation of the Romantic sensibility –…
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Captivating Subject and Mythological Inspiration This exquisite artwork presents a deeply symbolic and mythologically rich scene, capturing the timeless themes of divine inspiration, awakening, and spiritual guidance. Central…
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William Blake's "The Descent of Christ," etched in 1804, is not merely a depiction of a biblical scene; it’s a profound meditation on suffering, salvation, and the eternal…
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In the hauntingly beautiful Dante and Virgil at the Gates of Hell, William Blake invites us to stand upon the precipice of the unknown. This masterful illustration, created…
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William Blake's "Antaeus Setting Down Dante and Virgil in the Last Circle of Hell," painted in 1827, is not merely a depiction of a biblical scene; it’s a…
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Introduction to The Blasphemer and William Blake William Blake, a visionary artist, poet, and printmaker, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history…
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In the quiet, evocative depths of William Blake’s “Los Entering the Grave,” we encounter a scene that transcends the boundaries of mere illustration to become a profound meditation…
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The air feels heavy with the weight of an approaching storm as a colossal, muscular dragon dominates the upper reaches of the frame. Its massive, bat-like wings spread…
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The canvas holds a heavy, amber light. Within a dark and nebulous space, muscular figures emerge from streaks of shadow, their forms semi-transparent as if dissolving into the…
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In the quiet intensity of William Blake’s 1799 masterpiece, The Last Supper, the boundaries between the earthly and the eternal seem to dissolve. This is not merely a…
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William Blake's "The Ghost of a Flea," painted between 1819 and 1820, is a captivating example of visionary art housed within the prestigious Tate Gallery in London. This…
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Introduction to William Blake and his Artistic Style William Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the…
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William Blake's The Sun in His Wrath stands as a cornerstone of Romanticism—a movement that prioritized emotion, imagination, and individual experience above rational observation.
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In the profound depths of William Blake’s 1825 masterpiece, Satan before the Throne of God, we are invited into a realm where the boundaries between the physical and…
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A Descent into Torment: William Blake’s ‘Inferno, Canto VII’ William Blake's powerful depiction of *Inferno, Canto VII, 110-127* transports viewers directly into the heart of Dante Alighieri’s harrowing…
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Angels Ministering to Christ William Blake's "Angels Ministering to Christ" is a captivating and symbolic painting that showcases the artist’s unique style and deep understanding of Christian theology.…
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William Blake's "Elisha in the Chamber on the Wall," painted in 1820, isn’t merely a depiction of a biblical scene; it’s an immersive journey into the artist’s profoundly…
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Blake’s depiction of Newton is not a traditional portrait but rather an allegorical representation. The figure of Newton is shown sitting on a rock, his back turned to…
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William Blake’s “The Angel Appearing to Zacharias,” painted in 1800, isn't merely a depiction of a biblical scene; it’s an immersion into a realm of profound spiritual yearning…
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The Wandering Moon William Blake's The Wandering Moon is a captivating watercolour painting that embodies the essence of Romanticism. Created in 1820, this piece showcases Blake's unique style…
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A Vision of Suffering and Divine Presence: William Blake’s ‘Christ Nailed to the Cross The Third Hour’ William Blake's 1803 watercolor, *Christ Nailed to the Cross The Third…
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Introduction to William Blake William Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of both poetry…
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To stand before William Blake's depiction of Dante and Virgil ante el ángel guardián de la puerta del purgatorio is to confront the very threshold of the soul.…
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William Blake’s “Illustration to Milton’s Comus,” created between 1816 and 1820, isn’t merely a depiction of John Milton’s epic poem; it’s a profound meditation on morality, rebellion, and…
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William Blake: A Visionary Ahead of His Time William Blake (1757-1827) stands apart from his contemporaries as a figure whose artistic genius blossomed posthumously, securing him a revered…
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In the heart of the Romantic era, William Blake captured a moment of profound spiritual turbulence in his 1808 masterpiece, The Casting of the Rebel Angels into Hell.…
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In this graphite pencil rendering, we find ourselves drawn into a moment of profound quietude. A solitary woman reclines within the frame, her figure positioned diagonally to create…
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A Vision of Judgment: William Blake’s “The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins” “The Ghost of Truth,” as this engraving is often referred to, is a powerful…
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The air feels heavy with a quiet, urgent longing as three men stand caught in a moment of profound searching. They reach upward, their hands outstretched toward the…
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In his 1786 masterpiece, Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing, William Blake invites the viewer into a realm where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual…
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Created in 1808 by the visionary British artist William Blake, this monumental work is a powerful exploration of spiritual struggle, mortality, and ultimate redemption. Measuring an impressive 496…
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The Virgin Mary holds the Christ Child in her lap, her hands raised in an orans position of prayer. This composition follows a hieratic, pyramidal structure that directs…
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“Job and his Family Restored to Prosperity,” painted by William Blake in 1825, is more than just a biblical scene; it's a profound meditation on faith, suffering, and…
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In the profound depths of William Blake’s 1826 masterpiece, Satan Smiting Job with Boils, viewers are not merely observing a biblical scene but are thrust into a visceral,…
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William Blake's "Glad Day," often referred to as "The Dance of Albion," is a captivating artwork that embodies the spirit of Romanticism and showcases Blake’s unique blend of…
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The story of Cain and Abel is also described on Wikipedia,Wikipedia, providing further context and background information on the biblical narrative that inspired William Blake’s painting.
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We are looking at Job´s evil dreams 2, a monochrome etching created by William Blake. This specific piece was meticulously crafted around 1816. It represents a significant moment…
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William Blake’s “Untitled 10” isn't merely a sketch; it’s a portal into the spiritual landscape of late medieval England. This monochrome masterpiece captures a scene brimming with religious…
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A Descent into Torment: William Blake’s *Virgilio arrojando a Felipe Argenti de la barca de Flegias* This dramatic work by William Blake plunges the viewer directly into the…
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William Blake's "The Fall of Satan" is not merely a depiction of the biblical narrative; it’s a profound and unsettling exploration of human fallibility, divine judgment, and the…
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Introduction to William Blake and Romanticism William Blake, a visionary artist and poet, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the Romantic movement. Born…
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In the profound depths of William Blake’s Last Judgement, viewers are not merely observing a biblical scene but are instead thrust into a visceral, spiritual confrontation. Executed in…
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A Vision of Paradise Lost: Blake’s Dramatic Interpretation William Blake's "Illustration to Milton’s *Paradise Lost*," created in 1807, is not merely a depiction of biblical narrative; it’s a…
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William Blake's “Dante Tropieza con Bocca degli Abbati,” etched in monochrome around 1826-7, stands as a monumental testament to Romantic fervor and the enduring power of Dante Alighieri’s…
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A Descent into Despair: William Blake’s ‘Ugolino Tells His Cruel History’ This haunting watercolor by the visionary artist William Blake (1757-1827) plunges us directly into one of the…
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A Visionary’s Embrace: William Blake's Dante and Virgil Embarking on Their Journey William Blake, born in London on November 28, 1757, stands as an enigmatic figure within the…
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A Visionary Confrontation: Decoding William Blake’s “Behemoth and Leviathan” William Blake (1757-1827), a titan of Romanticism, wasn't fully appreciated during his lifetime. Today, he stands as a pivotal…
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A Dramatic Encounter with Divine Justice William Blake’s “Job and His Family” stands as a monumental achievement in Romantic engraving, capturing the profound spiritual struggle at the heart…
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A Celestial Record Keeper: Unveiling William Blake’s ‘El Ángel que conserva el gran libro de los actos buenos y los malos’ This captivating colored pencil drawing by the…
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William Blake’s Visionary Masterpiece William Blake, a figure perpetually out of step with his time, yet destined to become one of the most celebrated artists and poets of…
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William Blake’s “Job’s Despair” stands as a cornerstone of Romantic art, encapsulating the era's preoccupation with profound emotion and spiritual questioning. Executed in black and white etching on…
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A Vision of Damnation: William Blake’s *The Hypocrites with Caiaphas* Delving into Dante's Inferno: This powerful engraving by the visionary artist William Blake transports us to the harrowing…
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The Book of Job: When the Morning Stars Sang Together William Blake’s “The Book of Job: When the Morning Stars Sang Together” stands as a monumental achievement in…
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William Blake’s “Job’s Sons and Daughters Destroyed,” a monumental black-and-white lithograph, isn’t merely a depiction of biblical catastrophe; it’s a visceral plunge into the heart of human suffering…
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In the quiet, shadowed corridors of art history, few works possess the raw, spiritual electricity found in William Blake’s Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord.…
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A Vision of Torment: Exploring William Blake’s ‘Job’s Evil Dreams 1’ William Blake's “Job’s Evil Dreams 1” is a profoundly unsettling and captivating work from his series illustrating…
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William Blake's "Untitled 11," a monochrome drawing executed with charcoal or graphite, isn’t merely a depiction of figures; it’s an immersion into the heart of human experience –…
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William Blake's “Untitled 14,” a striking black and white etching, stands as a testament to the Romantic spirit—a fervent embrace of imagination and emotion over rational observation. Executed…
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A Descent into Dante’s Inferno: William Blake's “La serpiente de seis pies ataca a Agnelo dei Brunelleschi” This striking monochrome engraving by William Blake plunges the viewer directly…
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In the profound and often turbulent landscape of William Blake’s imagination, few figures command the screen with as much primal authority as The giant Nimrod. This evocative work…
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The Sea of Time and Space (Vision of the Circle of the Life of Man) is a work by the London-born artist William Blake (1757–1827). Composed in 1821,…
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William Blake's "San Pedro appears to Dante and Beatrice" isn’t merely a watercolor illustration; it’s a portal into the visionary realm of the Romantic imagination. Completed in 1824-27,…
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William Blake’s monochrome engraving, “Wilson Lowry,” is more than just a portrait; it's a meticulously crafted study of human form and the power of line. Created around 1825,…
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William Blake's "A Sunshine Holiday," painted in 1820, isn’t merely a depiction of a joyful gathering; it’s a shimmering portal into the artist’s intensely personal and profoundly symbolic…
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Untitled 13: A Fragment of Blake’s Visionary Landscape The artwork presents a striking black and white etching or engraving depicting a reclining figure—a solitary presence amidst an expansive,…
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William Blake’s “Satan Before the Throne of God,” created in 1825, is not merely a depiction of biblical drama; it’s a profound exploration of faith, doubt, and the…
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William Blake’s engraving, “David Hartley,” stands as a testament to the Romantic preoccupation with intellect and moral contemplation—a striking visual representation of a pivotal figure in British scientific…
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In the hauntingly beautiful masterpiece "Agnelo dei Brunelleschi metamorfoseado por la serpiente," we are invited into the feverish, visionary world of William Blake. This work serves as a…
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La Ascensión al purgatorio: A Visionary Encounter with Dante William Blake’s “La Ascensión al purgatorio” isn't merely a depiction of figures climbing a cliff; it’s an embodiment of…
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William Blake's “Satan Smiting Job with Boils” is not merely a depiction of a biblical scene; it’s a visceral plunge into the heart of human suffering, a stark…
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William Blake's "La ciudad de Dite y el Ángel atravesando la Laguna Estigia" stands as a testament to Romantic imagination—a stark black and white print that transcends mere…
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Mirth: A Symphony of Flight and Divine Presence William Blake’s “Mirth” transcends mere depiction; it embodies a profound exploration of spiritual aspiration and the boundless potential for human…
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An Allegory of the Spiritual Condition of Man presents a vertically oriented arrangement of figures within a celestial realm. The composition follows a symmetrical structure centered on an…
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The composition centers on a luminous figure, modeled after the Apollo Belvedere, exerting control over a massive, serpentine sea creature known as Leviathan. This central figure, representing the…
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The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by William Blake | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tate Gallery |
London | 6 | Elohim Creating Adam, Nebuchadnezzar, Job and his Daughters |
 Yale Center for British Art |
New Haven | 7 | The Descent of Christ, Los Entering the Grave, Virgin and Child |
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Boston | 5 | Satan Watching the Caresses of Adam and Eve, Adam and Eve Sleeping, Christ as the Redeemer of Man |
 National Gallery of Art |
Washington | 4 | The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with Sun, The Last Supper |
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 2 | Songs of Innocence (Title page), The Angel Appearing to Zacharias |
 Brooklyn Museum |
Brooklyn | 2 | The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun (Rev. 12: 1-4), The number of the beast is 666 |
 Fitzwilliam Museum |
6 | An Allegory of the Spiritual Condition of Man | |
 British Museum |
London | 3 | The Ancient of Days |
In his 1786 masterpiece, Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing, William Blake invites the viewer into a realm where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual…
Step closer to observe the way the light behaves within this composition. We find ourselves looking into a celestial orb, a glowing yellow circle that acts as a…
A Vision of Cosmic Conflict: William Blake’s “The Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun” William Blake's 1805 watercolour, *The Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed…
The air feels heavy with a quiet, urgent longing as three men stand caught in a moment of profound searching. They reach upward, their hands outstretched toward the…
William Blake's "The Lovers’ Whirlwind, Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta," painted in 1824-27, isn’t merely a depiction of a tragic love story; it’s a visceral exploration of…
The Ancient of Days (1794), British Museum, London. Next come Newton and The Ancient of Days (1794).
37 years old: The Ancient of Days dates from 1794 and William Blake was born in 1757.
The Ancient of Days, Newton, The Ancient of Days, The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with Sun, The Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun, Satan Exulting over Eve, Elohim Creating Adam, Satan Watching the Caresses of Adam and Eve, The Lovers' Whirlwind, Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta and Hecate. The ranking above gives the year and the museum of each.
Our catalogue lists 324 works by William Blake, dated from 1786 to 1827.
Most of them are in Tate Gallery (London), Yale Center for British Art (New Haven) and Museum of Fine Arts (Boston). The table above lists the museums one by one.
In 1820s: 20 of the 100 works on this page date from then, among them The Lovers' Whirlwind, Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta.
The earliest on this page is Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing (1786), the latest The Ancient of Days (1827).
Mythology (22), Spirituality (16) and Angels (10), among the 100 works on this page.
Acrylic On Canvas: 51 of the 100 works on this page.
Romanticism, as the paintings on this page show.
Elohim Creating Adam, Nebuchadnezzar and Job and his Daughters are among the 5 works on this page held by the Tate Gallery, London.
Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in the size you choose, from the painting's own page.
William Blake was born on November 28, 1757, in London, England. He was raised in a household above his father’s hosier shop at 28 Broad Street. His parents, James Blake and Catherine Wright Armitage Blake, provided a stable environment during a period of significant social change in the city. While his upbringing was marked by the modest means of a tradesman's family, his early years were defined by a singular, intense imagination that often manifested in visions, such as seeing angels in the branches of a tree during childhood walks.
Formal training began at the age of ten when he was enrolled at Henry Pars' drawing school. This early instruction provided the technical foundation for a career that would eventually move beyond simple sketching. By the age of 14, the necessity of practical work led him into a seven-year apprenticeship under the engraver James Basire. This period was essential to his development, as it introduced him to the rigorous mechanics of printmaking and the physical properties of metal and acid.
During his apprenticeship, Blake spent significant time sketching the tombs at Westminster Abbey. The Gothic architecture and the weathered stone of these monuments left a lasting impression on his aesthetic sensibilities. These studies allowed him to internalize the forms of the past, which he would later reinterpret through his own unique lens. His training was not merely a pursuit of craft, but a deep immersion into the visual language of history and structure.
Blake’s creative process was defined by a restless desire to merge the written word with the visual image. He moved beyond the standard commercial engravings of his era to develop a unique method of relief etching for his illuminated books. This technique involved applying an acid-resistant varnish to copper plates, allowing him to etch both text and illustration into a single, integrated form. This method was not merely a technical choice but a spiritual one; he claimed the process was revealed to him through a visionary experience following the death of his brother, Robert. Working alongside his wife, Catherine, who assisted in the printing and coloring, he managed the entire production from the initial etching to the final stitching of the books.
His aesthetic was a deliberate departure from the rigid rules of his contemporaries. He rejected the traditional use of linear perspective, which sought to mimic the physical world, in favor of a more emotive and symbolic representation of space. This flattening of the visual field allowed him to prioritize the internal logic of his visions over the constraints of naturalism. To bring these visions to life, he frequently employed watercolors and tempera paints, applying color by hand to the printed sheets to achieve a specific, personal texture. His work was a labor of both hand and spirit, often produced in the quiet of his London home.
The early output of his career began with the publication of Poetical Sketches in 1783. This initial collection of verse was followed by his most widely recognized lyrical achievements: Songs of Innocence in 1789 and Songs of Experience in 1794. These works established a recurring tension in his writing, exploring the contrast between a state of untainted childhood and the corruption of adult reality. Between 1790 and 1793, he produced The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, a provocative work that challenged established moral and religious doctrines through prose and verse.
His engagement with the political turbulence of his era found expression in his prophetic books. He produced America, a Prophecy in 1793 and Europe, a Prophecy in 1794, works that reflected the revolutionary spirit of the time. These publications were not merely texts but integrated visions where the etched image and the written word functioned as a single entity. His later years were marked by expansive, complex projects that required years of sustained effort.
The later stages of his life saw the development of massive, intricate cycles. He worked on the Milton series between 1804 and 1808, and his final major undertaking, Jerusalem, occupied him from 1804 until 1820. These works represent the culmination of his lifelong attempt to construct a private mythology, one that sought to reconcile the human spirit with the divine through a highly personal symbolic language.
The financial reality of Blake’s life was often a struggle for stability. For much of his career, he earned a living as a journeyman engraver, taking on commercial work to sustain himself. In about 1784, he attempted to establish a more permanent professional footing by setting up a print shop alongside James Parker, a friend and former fellow apprentice. This venture, however, did not provide the lasting security he required. Instead, his livelihood frequently depended on the steady support of a few dedicated patrons, most notably Thomas Butts, whose patronage offered a vital lifeline to the artist's more personal pursuits.
His professional geography shifted as his circumstances changed. Between 1800 and 1803, Blake moved to the coastal town of Felpham. During this period, he lived and worked under the patronage of William Hayley. This time in Felpham provided a temporary reprieve from the urban pressures of London, allowing him to focus on his complex series of works. Even as he navigated the demands of commissions, his work remained deeply tied to the specific needs of those who supported his vision, often balancing the practical requirements of engraving for others with the private labor of his own illuminated printing.
During his lifetime, Blake’s vision was often met with misunderstanding, his work frequently dismissed as the product of an eccentric or unstable mind. He lived a life of relative obscurity, often struggling for financial stability while working as an engraver. Yet, the very qualities that marginalized him in the early nineteenth century eventually secured his place as a pivotal figure in the Romantic movement. His insistence on the primacy of the imagination over the constraints of reason provided a blueprint for those who would later seek to break from traditional academic structures.
The impact of his singular style eventually reached beyond his immediate circle. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood embraced him as a kindred spirit, finding common ground in his rejection of Neoclassical conventions. As the decades passed, his influence moved through the Symbolist and Modernist movements, finding resonance in their shared interest in subjective experience and spiritual depth. He did not merely illustrate poems; he constructed a private mythology that continues to provide a source of inspiration for poets, painters, and thinkers across various disciplines.
The physical remnants of Blake’s vision are scattered across several major institutions, reflecting the global reach of his influence. In London, the Tate Gallery holds six of his works, including the significant 1795 depiction of Isaac Newton. This collection offers a substantial look at the technical precision he applied to his engravings and the way he translated complex spiritual concepts into visual form.
Across the Atlantic, his presence is felt in several prominent American collections. The Yale Center for British Art in New Haven maintains four works, such as the 1804 print of Los Entering the Grave. Meanwhile, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston also holds four pieces, including his 1808 study of Adam and Eve Sleeping. These holdings allow for a comparative study of his development from a commercial engraver to a creator of independent, illuminated volumes.
His reach extends even further to the Southern Hemisphere. The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne contains one work, an 1827 piece titled Antaeus setting down Dante and Virgil in the last circle of hell. This single presence in Australia highlights the enduring international interest in his peculiar, highly personal mythology.
