| English 'Romantic' painter, printmaker, and poet William | | | | The image features an old but strong looking man |
| Blake (1757-1827) was a radical visionary. He | | | | sitting on one knee in a sphere bending down. The |
| expressed his mystical views through paintings, | | | | bright coloring of the sphere makes it seem like the |
| engravings, and poetry. Blake was never inclined to | | | | sun surrounded by a dark cloudy sky depicted in |
| represent the materialistic things around him. The | | | | maroons and browns. The man has long white hair |
| concept of his work was driven by religious visions. | | | | and a white beard. He is stretching to bend |
| Blake's unusual capability to capture and portray a | | | | downwards outside the sphere holding a huge |
| theme from just his imagination shows his sheer | | | | compass in his left hand, as if taking a measurement. |
| brilliance as an artist. One of his most amazing | | | | William Blake was termed eccentric, for he rejected all |
| paintings was a relief called "The Ancient of Days," | | | | the conventional norms of religion and formed his own |
| created in 1794. | | | | beliefs. He often conveyed his ideology through his |
| This print of 23 cm x 17 cm (9" x 7") in size was made | | | | works. "The Ancient of Days" is one such illustration |
| from a copperplate engraving. "The Ancient of Days" | | | | where Blake portrays 'Urizen' (a name he had given to |
| was actually a cover illustration for his book of poems | | | | the creator of the universe in his writings). This |
| 'Europe, a Prophecy,' which Blake published in 1794. | | | | magnificent illuminated print is proof of Blake's inventive |
| William Blake claimed to have created this alluring | | | | creative genius and skillful artistry. |
| image based on a vision he had over a staircase while | | | | "The Ancient of Days" was a personal favorite of |
| he was living in Lambeth. It may not seem that there is | | | | Blake's. It is currently housed at the British Museum in |
| an obvious connection between the print and its title, | | | | London. His innovative artwork may not have been |
| however, its a known fact that in his prophecies, | | | | well received during his lifetime, but today they are |
| Prophet Daniel referred to God as "The ancient of | | | | considered great masterpieces. William Blake's artwork |
| Days." Blake made the print with intricate detail and | | | | is deemed unique and critics have tagged him as one |
| hand painted it using deep vibrant watercolors. | | | | of the greatest artists Britain produced. |