Summary
Highlights
The video opens with a reading of William Blake's poem 'The Shepherd,' highlighting its simple theme, typical of his work, which represents his belief in humanity and his unique view of Christianity. Blake's work is characterized by the inextricable intertwining of his literary and painterly forms, offering a unique insight into his creative mind.
William Blake was born in London on November 28, 1757, into a family of dissenters, which shaped his religious views. He was homeschooled and developed a love for drawing from a young age, favoring the linear style of Dürer. At 14, he was apprenticed to an engraver, James Basia, a seven-year commitment where he learned the trade of engraving illustrations for books. This period, though providing a living, was a constant struggle for him, as he yearned to be a creative artist rather than a copyist.
Blake was an extremely well-read individual, influenced by the Bible, Milton, Shakespeare, and classical writers. His early enthusiasm for the naked human form, inspired by texts like 'Reflections on the Painting and Sculpture of the Greeks,' remained throughout his life. After his apprenticeship, he enrolled in the Royal Academy schools, exhibiting his work and befriending artists Thomas Stoddard and John Flaxman, who helped publish his early poems, 'Poetical Sketches.' Blake actively participated in the Gordon riots of 1780, showcasing his anti-authoritarian stance and support for American and French Revolutions.
Blake married Catherine Boucher in 1782. She became a crucial companion and assistant, learning to read, write, and help with his engraving. Their marriage brought enduring happiness, though they had no children. The death of his younger brother, Robert, in 1787, deeply affected Blake and inspired his unique technique of illuminated printing, enabling him to combine his poems with his own designs. He then published 'Songs of Innocence' in 1789, where he introduced a new way of presenting his poetry, often hand-colored by him and Catherine.
Blake's 'Songs of Innocence,' like 'The Little Black Boy,' explored complex themes of race, spirituality, and societal constructs. The influence of Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish mystic, was significant during this period, particularly his ideas on spiritual bodies and the perfect human form, though Blake eventually diverged from some of Swedenborg's teachings. Later, in Lambeth, Blake produced 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell,' a satire that marked his renunciation of Swedenborgian ideas, and 'Songs of Experience,' which included his famous poem 'The Tyger.' These collections offered a complex commentary on good and evil and the transition from innocence to experience in human life.
During his time in Lambeth, Blake also created prophetic books like 'America' and 'Europe,' which explored political and cosmic themes with his unique mythology. Thomas Butts, a government clerk, became a significant patron, regularly purchasing Blake's work. In 1800, Blake moved to Felpham to work with William Halley, but this period was challenging due to artistic differences and a legal incident. He returned to London and began his most profound work, 'Jerusalem,' a spiritual history of man, spanning two decades. Despite continued struggles, including harsh criticism and financial hardship, Blake maintained his creative output, seeing himself as a channel for divine inspiration.
Blake spent his last 17 years in South Molton Street, where he continued to produce original paintings and illustrations, including for Milton's 'Paradise Lost.' Despite facing public disparagement and limited success, he found support in his later years from a group of younger artists, including John Linnell and Samuel Palmer. These friends arranged commissions and secured him some official recognition from the Royal Academy. William Blake died on August 12, 1826, surrounded by Catherine and his young admirers, and was buried in a dissenters' graveyard.