Merry Christmas from Willliam Blake!
The Descent of Peace from the "Butts set".
Blake's illustrations of Milton's poem 'On the Morning of Christ's Nativity' were drawn created between 1803 and 1815, and depict scenes from Christ's birth, as described by Milton. There are 16 illustrations in total, with 6 watercolours forming the 'Butts set', six more forming the 'Thomas set', and four pencil sketches. There is much confusion about the dating of the pictures, and even of their sequence, but even taken out of context, these are beautiful depictions of scenes from the nativity, and so are very apt to show you at this time of year!
The Annunciation to the Shepherds, from the "Thomas Set".
There will be no post on Friday, as it is Boxing Day, but we'll return on Tuesday with a new post! For now, we'll leave you with Christmas wishes from Blake himself, taken from a letter to William Hayley, from December 11th, 1805.
Wishing You & All Friends... a Merry & a Happy Christmas I Remain Ever Your
Affectionate
Will Blake
and his wife Catherine Blake
