Canto V, Verse 43

Canto V, Verse 43 by William Blake and Mary Ann Flaxman is a significant engraving produced in 1803, placing it firmly within the British Romantic period spanning 1801 to 1825. This collaboration reflects common artistic practice where Blake, the preeminent figure in British visionary art, would create the original design, while Flaxman executed or assisted with the precise work required for the print medium. The choice of engraving allowed these highly conceptual, often spiritually charged works to be circulated to a broader audience than singular drawings or paintings could achieve.

The work is exemplary of British artistic output during the first quarter of the nineteenth century, a time marked by revolutionary shifts in intellectual and visual culture. As an engraving, this piece underscores the critical role printmaking played in disseminating the radical and unique artistic visions of figures like Blake. The specific reference to a 'Canto V, Verse 43' indicates the artwork functions as a literary illustration, interpreting a specific textual moment through visual drama characteristic of the period’s focus on intense narrative and emotion. Flaxman’s demonstrated skill in rendering line and form ensures the illustrative narrative maintains the psychological intensity central to Blake’s complex designs.

This important work remains a key reference for understanding British printmaking traditions during the early 1800s. Its current residence in the collection of the National Gallery of Art assures its preservation and accessibility for scholarly research. Because the piece is an original fine art print, it showcases the detailed execution necessary to translate visionary design into a durable form. Today, reproductions of such historical British works are frequently available, including those that have entered the public domain. The historical context of the years 1801 to 1825 and the detailed execution ensure Canto V, Verse 43 continues to be studied as a primary example of Romantic illustrative genius.