Summary
Highlights
William Blake, a figure known for his ecstatic visions and conversations with the dead, was often considered mad by his contemporaries. However, figures like William Wordsworth acknowledged a profound depth in his 'madness.' Today, Blake is recognized as a visionary poet and artist, appreciated for his unique perspective.
Born in London in 1757, William Blake's education was largely self-taught after leaving school at age 10. Heavily influenced by the Bible and theological texts, he developed an early appreciation for art, studying masters like Raphael and Michelangelo. At 14, he was apprenticed to engraver James Basire, famously predicting the unfortunate fate of a previous choice for his mentor.
Blake's apprenticeship under Basire taught him an older engraving technique, which subtly influenced his career. During this period, he visited Gothic churches and published his first volume of poetry, "Poetical Sketches." Later, at the Royal Academy of Arts, Blake clashed with the fashionable artistic views of Sir Joshua Reynolds, preferring the classical styles he admired as a child. It was also during this time that he met and married Catherine, whom he taught to read and write.
As a professional engraver, Blake opened a print shop that served as a hub for radical thinkers. He innovated "relief etching," a reverse engraving technique, to create his own illuminated books. "Songs of Innocence," published in 1789, and its expanded version, "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" (1794), explored themes of childhood innocence, societal ills, and the balance between knowledge and corruption, blending poetry and art seamlessly.
Blake's later philosophical works, including "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" and "Jerusalem," continued his exploration of good and evil. He critically viewed the Industrial Revolution, coining the phrase "dark satanic mills," and advocated for a deeper understanding of the world, stating, "If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite."
Despite financial hardships, William and Catherine Blake had a happy and productive partnership, with Catherine assisting in his work. Blake's health, possibly affected by engraving materials, declined over the years. He faced death fearlessly, reportedly singing of his heavenly visions before he passed away on August 12, 1827. Today, William Blake is a celebrated figure in England, with his lyric "Jerusalem" becoming an unofficial national hymn.