He taught himself Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Italian, so that he could read classical works in their original language. In 1800 Blake moved to the seacoast town of Felpham, where he lived and worked until 1803.
In the prose work The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790-93), he satirised oppressive authority in church and state. Theological tyranny is the subject of The Book of Urizen (1794). He declared in one poem, “I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.” Works such as The French Revolution (1791), A merica, a Prophecy” (1793), V isions of the Daughters of Albion (1793), and Europe, a Prophecy (1794) express his opposition to the English monarchy, and to 18th-century political and social tyranny in general. In defiance of 18th-century neoclassical conventions, he privileged imagination over reason in the creation of both his poetry and images, asserting that ideal forms should be constructed not from observations of nature but from inner visions. The text and illustrations were printed from copper plates, and each picture was finished by hand in water-colours.īlake was a nonconformist who associated with some of the leading radical thinkers of his day. Both books of Songs were printed in an illustrated format reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts. He published his most popular collection, Songs of Innocence, in 1789 and followed it, in 1794, with Songs of Experience. For the remainder of his life, Blake made a meagre living as an engraver and illustrator for books and magazines.īlake’s first printed work, Poetical Sketches (1783), is a collection of apprentice verse, mostly imitating classical models. In 1784 he set up a printshop with a friend, but this venture failed after several years. Later, she helped him print the illuminated poetry for which he is remembered today. He taught her to read and write, and also instructed her in draftsmanship. In 1782, he married an illiterate woman named Catherine Boucher. After his seven-year term ended, he studied briefly at the Royal Academy. When he turned fourteen, he apprenticed with an engraver.
Two years later, Blake began writing poetry. At age ten, he expressed a wish to become a painter, so his parents sent him to drawing school. When he was four, he saw God “put his head to the window” when he was nine, while walking through the countryside, he saw a tree filled with angels. From early childhood, he spoke of his visions.
William Blake (1757 – 1827) an English poet, painter, and printmaker was born in London to James, a hosier, and Catherine Blake.
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