The Angel, America a Prophecy
Just text
The project was about William Blake and his Prophecy concerning America. Revolution was a major influence not only on the time period, but on Blake, and his prophecies were a testament to his vision and creativity. Blake was a vocal critic for the war in America and coupled with the visions that Blake was revealed, his poetry was a beating drum for the “new” America. I found so many different references to the Romantic Era, considering Blake was a leading figure in the Era, that I wanted to find a particular piece that spoke not only to his courage contained in the writings, but also to the prophetic nature of Blake at his most prophetic.
Blake as a Child
As young William turned 10 he started to attend art school, which later proved to be to expensive. Then William’s parents sent him to learn to engrave where one of his assignments was to sketch tombs at Westminster Abbey, which was a large influence throughout his career.
William Blake started to have visions, some reported as early as four, according to a family friend Henry Crabb Robinson. Young William did report to his father, when he was nine, that he had seen an angel and his father thought he was lying
A prophecy
Blake speaks to America directly through his prophecy,
” Washington spoke; Friends of America look over the Atlantic sea;
A bended bow is lifted in heaven,
& a heavy iron chain descends link by link
from Albions cliffs across the sea to bind Brothers and sons of America “
prophecy picture (no text )
Blake’s Visions
Blake was a nonconformist who associated with some of the most radical thinkers,
such as Thomas Paine and Mary Wollstonecraft.
Blake felt that imagination was more important than reason when it came to creating poems and images,
asserting that what comes from inner visions is far more important than external observations
These particular piece’s were finalized by Blake etching on plates, some of which were copper and some aluminum, which was absolutely astounding. Blake was a vocal critic for the war in America and coupled with the visions that Blake was revealed, his poetry was a beating drum for the “new” America.
