An Angel Teaching a Daughter of Men the Secrets of Sin

c. 1824/1827

William Blake

Associated Names
William Blake

Artist, British, 1757 - 1827

This is a drawing of an abstract scene with figures and flowing forms. The drawing features a central figure in a flowing environment. The lines are fluid and suggest movement, with surrounding elements that could be interpreted as organic shapes or otherworldly figures. The drawing is light and sketchy, creating a sense of delicacy. A sense of depth and volume is given through the combination of light and heavy strokes. The abstract and suggestive nature of the drawing encourages viewers to engage with their imagination.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    graphite on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 52.6 x 37 cm (20 11/16 x 14 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1944.14.6

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Butlin 1981, no. 827, State 2

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1957

  • The Art of William Blake, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1957, no. 57b.

Bibliography

1973

  • Taylor, P., BLAKE NEWS, 7 1973-74, fig.B.

1975

  • Fine 1975, IV.A.6.

1981

  • Butlin, Martin. The Paintings and Drawings of William Blake. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1981.

Inscriptions

upper center: from the Book of Enoch; in later hand, lower center: .2

Watermarks

W ELGAR 1796 (similar to Shorter fig.57)

Wikidata ID

Q64636521

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