William Blake

1808, published 1813

Luigi Schiavonetti, after Thomas Phillips, R.A.

Associated Names
Luigi Schiavonetti

Artist, Italian, 1765 - 1810

Robert Hartley Cromek

Publisher, British, 1771 - 1812

Thomas Phillips

Artist After, British, 1770 - 1845

The image is a portrait showing the upper half of a man who is seated, facing slightly to the viewer's left. His head is turned to the side, with a thoughtful expression on his face. His facial features are detailed, with prominent cheekbones, a firm jaw, and eyes that appear deep in focus. The man has short, receding white hair with subtle waves. He is dressed in a formal dark jacket over what appears to be a waistcoat and a high-collared shirt. He is holding a pencil in one hand, poised over a surface. The background is a plain, textured surface that frames the subject without distraction. Loose lines fill the background. The engraving is signed with the name William Blake at the bottom.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on India paper [proof]

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 37.2 × 26.2 cm (14 5/8 × 10 5/16 in.)
    sheet: 43.5 × 31 cm (17 1/8 × 12 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2016.175.7

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Le Blanc 1854 - 1888, undesc.

  • Series Title

    Robert Blair's "The Grave, A Poem": Frontispiece

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Dawson Turner, London; (his sale, London, 16 May 1859, part of lot 1370) (dealer notes). (Christopher Mendez, London); purchased 2016 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1854

  • Le Blanc, Charles. _Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes, contenant le dictionnaire des graveurs de toutes les nations, dans lequel sont decrites les estampes rares, precieuses et interessantes avec l'indication de leurs differents etats et des prix auxquels: undesc

Inscriptions

lower left in plate: Painted by T. Phillips RA; lower right in plate: Engraved by L Schiavonetti VA; lower center in plate: William Blake / London, Published by R. H. Cromek, 64, Newman St. May 1st 1808

Wikidata ID

Q77258604

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