Death of the Strong Wicked Man, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair (May 1, 1808)
Original title: Death of the Strong Wicked Man, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair
kurzbeschreibung
William Blake made this engraving on 1 May 1808 as an illustration to Robert Blair's poem 'The Grave'. It shows the dying 'strong and wicked man' on a bed, with a grieving woman beside him and a soul hovering above. The print belongs to a series Blake produced for Blair's moralising poem about death and the afterlife.
Description
A man lies barefoot and wearing only simple trousers on a bed. A woman stands nearby, holding a candle and showing her grief. Above the dying man floats a figure representing his soul. A window with fluttering curtains can be seen in the background. A border with title and publisher details surrounds the view.
Context
The engraving was made on 1 May 1808 as part of a set of illustrations to Robert Blair's poem 'The Grave', published in 1743 and a well-known example of graveyard and night-thought literature. Blake supplied the drawings, while the publisher Robert Cromek assigned the engraving to other engravers; this plate, however, is by Blake himself. It counts among his late commissions, carried out during a period of financial hardship.
Impact
A sombre, melancholy mood emanates from the image, heightened by the monochrome rendering and sharp lines. Death is portrayed directly and urgently, without sentimental elevation. The hovering soul gives the scene a spiritual dimension and prompts reflection on mortality.
Technique
The engraving uses fine, precise lines that allow detailed rendering of textures and shading. The plate measures 20.6 x 26 cm, the sheet 24.1 x 27.8 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)