William Blake's Illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy: A Study of the Engravings, Pencil Sketches and Watercolors

Description

William Blake's series of engraved illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy were his last major project and a summation of his religious and artistic beliefs. Unfinished at his death, the series includes seven engravings and 102 unique works in various stages of completion--some of the most beautiful pictures of his career. These pictures are not simple illustrations, but constitute a thorough reinterpretation and--in Blake's view--correction of Dante's poem. This book compares the two men's theological and artistic views and analyzes in detail the meaning of Blake's illustrations, for the firs. Read more... Abstract: William Blake's series of engraved illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy were his last major project and a summation of his religious and artistic beliefs. Unfinished at his death, the series includes seven engravings and 102 unique works in various stages of completion--some of the most beautiful pictures of his career. These pictures are not simple illustrations, but constitute a thorough reinterpretation and--in Blake's view--correction of Dante's poem. This book compares the two men's theological and artistic views and analyzes in detail the meaning of Blake's illustrations, for the firs