William Blake was an English poet, painter was born November 28, 1757, in London William Blake started writing poems as a boy, many of them inspired by religious visions. Apprenticed to an engraver as a young man, Blake learned skills that allowed him to put his poems and drawings together on etchings, and he began to publish his own work. Throughout his life he survived on small commissions, never gaining much attention from the London art world. His paintings were rejected by the public
Elisha in the Chamber on the Wall
1820 Sepia wash over pencil, 243 x 210 mm Tate Gallery, London Among Blake's metaphors for creative vision was the Old Testament prophet Elisha, foretelling her future son to the Shunammite woman who had given him a room for his meditations. There can be little doubt that Blake's bearded seer in his chamber was a more revealing record of himself and his art than a literal portrayal of his features could ever be. Author: BLAKE, William Title: Elisha in the Chamber on the Wall Form: graphics , 1751-1800 , English , religious