The Life of William Blake (Dover Fine Art, History of Art)

This classic biography - originally published in 1863 - was the first full-length study of Blake. The author offers thoughtful critical commentary on the poets works, from his childhood poetry to such later masterpieces as "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, The Book of Urizen, Inventions to the Book of Job" and many more. The book covers the facts of Blake's life: his childhood, years as an engraver's apprentice and student life, relationships with patrons and employers, his trial for treason, his "madness, " neglect by the public, declining health and ultimately death. One of the greatest Victorian-era biographies, Alexander Gilchrist's The Life of William Blake plays a key role in the history of Blake's work and its influence on other writers and artists. The first standard text on Blake and a cornerstone of the extensive scholarship on his life and work, it not only delivered its subject from unjust obscurity but also dispelled the notion of Blake's insanity and established his genius as a visionary artist and poet.Sensitive, highly readable accounts trace Blake's childhood and years as an engraver's apprentice, his relations with patrons and employers, his trial for treason, and his declining health and untimely death. The author's wide-ranging research includes interviews with many of Blake's surviving friends, whose personal recollections add warmth and immediacy to this portrait. Extensive quotes from the subject's poetry and prose — practically unknown at the time of the original 1863 publication — further enliven the text. In addition to a critical commentary on Blake's boyhood poems, this transformative biography features more than 40 of his illustrations. One of the greatest Victorian-era biographies, Alexander Gilchrist's The Life of William Blake plays a key role in the history of Blake's work and its influence on other writers and artists. The first standard text on Blake and a cornerstone of the extensive scholarship on his life and work, it not only delivered its subject from unjust obscurity but also dispelled the notion of Blake's insanity and established his genius as a visionary artist and poet. Sensitive, highly readable accounts trace Blake's childhood and years as an engraver's apprentice, his relations with patrons and employers, his trial for treason, and his declining health and untimely death. The author's wide-ranging research includes interviews with many of Blake's surviving friends, whose personal recollections add warmth and immediacy to this portrait. Extensive quotes from the subject's poetry and prose practically unknown at the time of the original 1863 publication further enliven the text. In addition to a critical commentary on Blake's boyhood poems, this transformative biography features more than 40 of his illustrations. Classic 1863 biography — largely credited with rescuing the great English poet and painter from oblivion — offers sensitive discussions of Blake's childhood, years as an engraver's apprentice, relations with patrons and employers, trial for treason, declining health, and untimely death. Includes critical commentary on the artist's boyhood poems. Over 40 Blake illustrations. A now-classic biography of poet and painter William Blake (1757-1827), first published in 1863 and reprinted in 1907. (This edition is an unabridged republication of the latter.) Includes over 40 b&w illustrations.Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR