Poems: Introduction by Patti Smith

ISBN-13: 9780099511632 / Angielski / Miękka / 2007 / 192 str.

William Blake

Opis

William Blake is one of Britain's most fascinating and groundbreaking poets, as well as a renowned painter, engraver, radical, and mystic. Although Blake was dismissed as an eccentric by his contemporaries, his powerful and richly symbolic poetry has been a fertile source of inspiration to the many writers and artists who have followed in his footsteps. Collected here are some of the finest of Blake's works--including the complete poems from the famous Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience--together providing a singular picture of this unique genius.

Recenzje

A visionary genius... There are passages of brilliance everywhere... The wonder of Blake is that he had an imagination that brought together words and images Independent

O autorze

William Blake was born on 28 November 1757 in London. Instead of being sent to school he was given drawing classes from a young age.When he was fourteen he was apprenticed to the engraver James Basire and he later went on to work as an engraver, illustrator, printer and drawing teacher. In 1779 he became a student at the Royal Academy. In 1782 he married Catherine Boucher who was to become a great support to him throughout his life.His first collection of poems, Poetical Sketches was published in 1793. In 1789 he published Songs of Innocence which was followed by Songs of Experience in 1793. In the early 1800s he wrote his epic prophetic poems Milton and Jerusalem. He developed his own practice of illustrating his poetical works with his own etchings, producing beautifully illuminated editions. Blake's political beliefs were controversial for the times; he supported the French Revolution, condemned slavery and the subjugation of women. His religious beliefs were also idiosyncratic and he reported seeing visions of angels at various points in his life. Blake died, poor and in obscurity on 12 August 1827.