The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other

1827

William Blake

Associated Names
William Blake

Artist, British, 1757 - 1827

This is a drawing of fantastical creatures engaged in a scene. The image depicts two winged figures, seemingly human-like, flying over swirling waters. They appear to be exerting effort or struggling. The background shows a curved pathway or horizon line, with two cloaked figures standing partially hidden. More figures are in the distance, some winged and others in various poses suggesting movement or interaction. The drawing features detailed line work and an imaginative subject matter in a style evocative of classical mythology or fantasy.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 34 × 50.1 cm (13 3/8 × 19 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.5398

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bindman 1978, no. 649

  • Series Title

    Dante's "Divine Comedy": pl.3 ("Inferno," canto XXII)

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1953

  • Flight, Fantasy, Faith, Fact: A Loan Exhibition Commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of Powered Flight, Dayton Art Institute, OH, 1953-1954, no. 111.

1965

  • William Blake, Andrew Dickson White Museum of Art, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1965, no. 36.

Bibliography

1978

  • Bindman, David. The Complete Graphic Works of William Blake. London: Thames and Hudson, 1978.

Wikidata ID

Q65026665

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