William Blake was an English artist, poet and printmaker from London who lived during the Romantic period in the late 18th century. Some of his most important works included Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, as well as illustrations for poems like The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Though criticized by some as insane or satanic during his lifetime, Blake is now seen as an influential figure who helped inspire genres like graphic novels and comics with his unconventional artistic style.

1. WILLIAM BLAKE
By Mackenzie Rhead

2. ROMANTIC PERIOD
 Late 1700‟s- Early 1800‟s
A time for creative minds and expression
of emotion.
The Romantic period expressed:
Individuality
Deep love of nature
Biblical (religious) ideas
American Revolution 1776
French Revolution 1789

3. WILLIAM BLAKE
 Artistic views and powerful imagination
 Romantic author and artist
 Abolitionist
 During his early years, he‟s focused on his
drawings.
 He began writing poems when he was an engraver.
 Critics labeled him „insane‟ and a „satanist'

4. WILLIAM BLAKE TIMELINE
 Born in London, England
November 28, 1757
 At the age of 14 he got a job as an engraver‟s
apprentice.
 His art style came from the Gothic Churches
(Westminster Abbey)
 October 8, 1779
Blake became a student at the Royal Art
Academy

5. WILLIAM BLAKE TIMELINE CONT.
 Marries Catherine Boucher
August 18, 1782
 He continued to engrave
as a living.
 1800 taught himself
Hebrew, Greek, Latin,
and Italian.

6. WILLIAM BLAKE TIMELINE CONT.
 In1818, Blake became more
recognized when he met John Linnell.
 Was accepted into a group “Shoreham
Ancients”.

7. WILLIAM BLAKE‟S TIMELINE CONT.
 1825, He was commissioned to illustrate
Dante’s Divine Comedy
 He finished 7 of the engravings
 He died August 12, 1827

8. INFLUENCED
 Some of Blake‟s works were
 said to be early children‟s literature
 He created relief-sketching
 His art style inspired a lot
of graphic novels
and comic books (Alan Moore)

9. IMPORTANT WORKS
 “Poetical Sketches” 1769-1777
 “Songs of Innocence” 1789
 “Songs of Experience” 1794

10. “A POISON TREE”
 I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did
end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
 And I waterd it in fears
Night & morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
 And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,
 And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the
pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretchd beneath the
tree.
 William Blake

11. IMPORTANT WORKS CONT.
 Bible Illustrations:

12. IMPORTANT WORKS CONT.
 “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”
1790-1793
 “Jerusalem” 1804-1820

13. CITATIONS
 I‟ll get to them in a minute…