CULTURE • FOCUS William Blake, Europe: a Prophecy, c1794
William Blake, Pity, c1795
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Radical and
REB ELLI O U S Experience William Blake’s visionary art the way he wanted it to be seen at Tate Britain Words V I C T O R I A P E A K E William Blake (1757-1827) Albion Rose c. 1793 Courtesy of the Huntington Art Collections
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his autumn, Tate Britain brings the largest showcase of William Blake artwork to the UK for the first time in twenty years. Showcased are over 300 original works - some rarely seen - over multiple mediums, depicting a lengthy period of the artist’s life. William Blake was a man of many talents. A visionary painter, printmaker and poet, he has created some of the most iconic and renowned images in British art. The art is a direct representation of Blake’s struggles to be understood and appreciated throughout his life, periods of political terror, oppression, revolution and war, all manifested into masterpieces with his unique imagination. Throughout
his career, he depended on the unwavering support of friends, family, patrons, but most importantly his wife Catherine. Visitors will experience Blake's ambitious art the way he intended. Here you can immerse yourself in a recreation of the exhibition space where Blake first previewed his art in 1809, an ill-fated attempt to create a public reputation for himself as a painter. This allows you to see the impact these works had when they were first showcased. Ambitious, Blake had a dream that was unfortunately never realised: to showcase his work on a larger scale. He envisioned vast frescos sprawled across walls. The Tate has made this dream a reality, utilising digital technology to enlarge and project selected paintings onto the gallery wall. These projections will reinvent Blake as a visual artist within the 21st century. The exhibition will also have a focus on London, the city in which Blake was born and lived for most of his life. The capital was a constant inspiration for Blake, he saw a place where harsh realities could merge with his unique imagination. One of our favourite paintings is Albion Rose; we are excited to see this piece in pride of place at the opening of the exhibition. It is an exuberant depiction of the mythical founding of Britain. Blake’s creation contrasts with the commercialism, austerity and crass populism of the times. Over many years Blake has been an inspiration to many artists, musicians, writers and performers and we are sure this exhibition will influence all that come and enjoy.
WILLIAM BLAKE William Blake is open between 11 September 2019 to 2 February 2020 at Tate Britain. Millbank, SW1P; tate.org.uk
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