An Angel Teaching a Daughter of Men the Secrets of Sin is a profound drawing executed by William Blake between 1824 and 1827. Created in the final years of the artist's life, this work is classified as a drawing, composed using delicate graphite on laid paper. Its distinctive style places it firmly within the British Romantic tradition, reflecting the visionary approach that dominated Blake’s output during the period of 1801 to 1825.
The piece illustrates an enigmatic, intimate scene centering on a celestial figure, the angel, imparting forbidden or esoteric knowledge to a mortal woman. Blake frequently employed such complex mythological and spiritual imagery to explore weighty themes of innocence, temptation, and the nature of corruption. In this composition, Blake utilizes the graphite medium to achieve a powerful contrast between the heavily draped figures and the surrounding unarticulated space, emphasizing the intensity of the secret exchange. The execution reveals the artist’s mastery in depicting flowing forms and emotional gravity, a hallmark of his late-period visual narratives.
While many of Blake’s contemporaries in the British art scene focused on classical realism, this work exemplifies his unique and enduring commitment to expressing divine and psychological states over strict physical representation. The drawing captures the moment of instruction, forcing the viewer to confront the moral ambiguity inherent in the angel's lesson.
This historically important late-period drawing remains a cornerstone in understanding the legacy of visionary art and the final intellectual pursuits of the artist. The original artwork, which reflects the profound spiritual interests of its creator, is part of the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art. Given the vintage of the drawing, the image is frequently available within the public domain, allowing institutions and researchers access to high-quality prints for ongoing study of Blake’s draftsmanship.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.