The childhood works of William Blake (1757-1827) had long been hidden from researchers at the Bodleian Library of Oxford University. The artist bequeathed his engravings to the library in 1809.
Blake, regarded as one of the greatest poets of all time, was captivated by visual art from a young age. This is confirmed by a recently discovered series of his engravings on copper plates, dating back around 250 years. In one of the previously unknown works, the young artist depicted an arrow—a recurring motif in his later creations. Another engraving reveals a miniature face.
“When I first saw the face, it was a stunning moment. I nearly fell off my chair,” shared Mark Crosby, an expert on Blake’s work, who actually uncovered the engravings.
What else is known about the discovery?
Biographers of William Blake indicate that before his poetic career took off, he spent seven years mastering the art of engraving under the renowned London craftsman James Basire. At that time, engraving was a popular method for illustrating books, as noted by the Daily Mail.
The authorship of these engravings was identified using new high-resolution scanning technology. Researchers observed cross-hatching, semicircles, and images created with burins and compasses on the plates.
According to Mark Crosby, this suggests that the engraver’s apprentice was honing his skills and emulating his master’s style. The scanning revealed an incredibly detailed engraving of a miniature face, with eyes, part of a nose, and lips visible.
In another area—on the engraver’s tavern—the first letter “O” in the word LONDON was neatly shaded in a manner “that resembles a child’s coloring,” Crosby noted.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned arrow, measuring about 18 mm in length and featuring a short shaft, was engraved on the plate with a burin.
Experts say that such arrows, as well as darts, frequently appear in both Blake’s visual and poetic works. These motifs are notably present in two of his watercolor pieces inspired by Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
Dr. Crosby, whose research will soon be published in two academic journals, remarked: “These works reveal personal, intimate moments that were not meant to be seen by anyone other than the artist himself.”
More about Blake
English poet and artist William Blake was born in Soho, London, in 1757.
Blake’s first known poetry collection is “Songs of Innocence” (1789). Among his other notable collections and works are “Songs of Experience,” “Jerusalem,” “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell,” “The Lamb,” “The Tiger,” “The French Revolution,” and “Europe.” In his poetry, Blake described historical events, often delving into romantic fantasy and mythology, using imagery from the Bible.
In 1772, William Blake became an apprentice to engraver James Basire on Great Queen Street. Seven years later, he completed his training and became a professional engraver. Although Blake was known for his relief etchings, he also frequently employed intaglio, a popular engraving method in the 18th century that involved incising lines into a plate. This process was complex and labor-intensive.
During his lifetime, William Blake rarely basked in the glow of fame. However, after his death in 1827, he was recognized as one of the greatest Romantic poets. The site of Blake’s burial was transformed into a garden. Later, thanks to the poet’s admirers, a memorial stone was erected in that area. In 2018, after the true burial site of William Blake was discovered, Londoners ceremoniously installed a commemorative plaque in honor of the poet and artist.