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Biography of William Blake: An all-rounder artist and painter, has contributed towards revolutionising both society and the human mind through his poetry and artwork. Despite being largely overlooked during his lifetime, he is now well-praised as an important figure in English literature. Although his work was often deemed inaccessible to the general public, Blake himself believed in its widespread significance. Scroll to learn everything about his works and how he became so well known.
Table of Contents
About William Blake
He was brought up in London and he took inspiration from the political and social situation of the place. William Blake continued transforming his experiences into a unique body of work that continues to captivate audiences today.
| About William Blake | |
| Full Name | William Blake |
| Birth Date | 28 November 1757 |
| Death Date | 12 August 1827 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupations | Poet, Painter, Printmaker |
| Significance | A seminal figure in the poetry and visual art of the Romantic Age |
| Residency | Lived in London his entire life, except for three years in Felpham |
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Career of William Blake
William Blake’s artistic journey began in his youth with the publication of his first poetry collection, Poetical Sketches, around 1783.
Early Years and Poetic Beginnings
Following his father’s death, Blake stepped into the world of printmaking, establishing a print shop with someone he knew before. This one step of his life brought him into contact with a circle of influential intellectuals, including Mary Wollstonecraft and Joseph Priestley, who were active in the political and social debates of the time.
Inspired by the ideals of the French and American revolutions, Blake became a vocal critic of oppression and injustice, as evidenced in works like Visions of the Daughters of Albion.
The Innovative Art of Relief Etching
Blake is an artistic genius who truly prospered with his invention of relief etching, a revolutionary technique that allowed him to effortlessly merge his text and art together.
This method, distinct from traditional, enabled him to create his all-time iconic books, such as Songs of Innocence and of Experience and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.
These works showcased Blake’s unique vision, blending poetry, art, and philosophy into a powerful and personal expression.
Mastery of Traditional Engraving
While relief etching became Blake’s signature style, his commercial success was largely built on traditional intaglio engraving.
His work on commissions, such as the illustrations for John Gabriel Stedman’s ‘The Narrative of a Five Years Expedition,’ demonstrates his technical proficiency in this demanding art form. However, Blake’s innovative spirit extended even to this established technique.
He employed unconventional methods like repoussage to correct errors, showcasing his constant experimentation and pursuit of artistic perfection.
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William Blake’s Complete Works
William Blake has contributed significantly to society, from his works to everything. So here are William Blakes’s complete works.
William Blake Poems
Songs of Innocence and Experience Book
It is a collection of poems by William Blake that explores the contrasting states of the human soul. Originally published separately, the two volumes (Songs of Innocence, and Songs of Experience) were later combined to contrast the opposing states of the human soul.
While Songs of Innocence portrays a world of childlike purity and optimism, Songs of Experience reveals the true and harsh realities of life and the corrupting influence of society. So basically it is like the yin and yan of a book series.
- The Lamb: A gentle, childlike poem presenting Jesus as a symbol of innocence and divine love.
| One such line from the poem ‘The Lamb’ says “Little Lamb who made thee? / Dost thou know who made thee?” The poem poses a query to a lamb, symbolising humanity or children, asking if it acknowledges its creator. This implied creator, likely God, is later equated with Jesus, the “Lamb,” suggesting a divine connection between the innocent lamb and the poem’s ultimate message. |
- The Chimney Sweeper: A poignant critique of child labour and the loss of innocence amidst societal oppression.
- The Tyger: A powerful exploration of the duality of existence, questioning the creation of both beauty and terror.
- London: A bleak depiction of urban life, revealing the suffering and despair hidden beneath the city’s facade.
Total Poems in Songs of Innocence
| S. No | Poem Name |
| 1 | Introduction |
| 2 | The Shepherd |
| 3 | The Echoing Green |
| 4 | The Lamb |
| 5 | The Little Black Boy |
| 6 | The Blossom |
| 7 | The Chimney Sweeper |
| 8 | The Little Boy Lost |
| 9 | The Little Boy Found |
| 10 | Laughing Song |
| 11 | A Cradle Song |
| 12 | The Divine Image |
| 13 | Holy Thursday |
| 14 | Night |
| 15 | Spring |
| 16 | Nurse’s Song |
| 17 | Infant Joy |
| 18 | A Dream |
| 19 | On Another’s Sorrow |
Total Poems in Songs of Experience
| S. No | Poem Name |
| 1 | Introduction |
| 2 | Earth’s Answer |
| 3 | The Clod and the Pebble |
| 4 | Holy Thursday |
| 5 | The Little Girl Lost |
| 6 | The Little Girl Found |
| 7 | The Chimney Sweeper |
| 8 | Nurse’s Song |
| 9 | The Sick Rose |
| 10 | The Fly |
| 11 | The Angel |
| 12 | The Tyger |
| 13 | My Pretty Rose Tree |
| 14 | Ah! Sun-Flower |
| 15 | The Lily |
| 16 | The Garden of Love |
| 17 | The Little Vagabond |
| 18 | London |
| 19 | The Human Abstract |
| 20 | Infant Sorrow |
| 21 | A Poison Tree |
| 22 | A Little Boy Lost |
| 23 | A Little Girl Lost |
| 24 | To Tirzah |
| 25 | The School Boy |
| 26 | The Voice of the Ancient Bard |
Other Notable Poems
- Auguries of Innocence: A collection of short poems offering profound insights into the human condition and the natural world.
- Holy Thursday: Contrasts the innocence of children with the harsh realities of their lives, criticising societal indifference.
Other Not-so-notable Poems
- The fly
- Nurse’s song
- A poison tree
- The school boy
- The little black boy
- The garden of love
- The echoing green
- The book of Urizen
- The marriage of Heaven and hell
William Blake Artwork
William Blake’s artwork is a unique blend of poetry, painting, and printmaking. He is best known for his illuminated handwritten books.
Blake’s work is often characterized by its use of symbolism, mythology, and religious imagery. He was also a visionary who believed in the power of imagination and the spiritual world.
Blake’s paintings have had a great influence on the subsequent generations of artists and writers.
FAQs
He was best known for his revolutionary poetry and intricate artwork, often combined in illuminated books.
Yes, William Blake is considered a Romantic poet, though his style diverges significantly from other Romantics.
William Blake’s writing style is characterised by vivid imagery, symbolism, and a profound exploration of the human soul and the spiritual world.
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