Colinet wordt bespot by William Blake, print, 1820-1821

Colinet wordt bespot

William Blake

Year
1820-1821
Medium
paper
Dimensions
height 35 mm x width 77 mm
Museum
Rijksmuseum

About This Artwork

Colinet wordt bespot is a powerful print created by the English Romantic visionary William Blake between 1820 and 1821. Executed on paper, the work showcases Blake's characteristic mastery of the print medium, likely employing etching or engraving techniques, which he often utilized to translate his complex, highly imaginative literary and visual concepts. The late date of the piece places it among the final major efforts of the artist's life, reflecting a mature style characterized by intense linear quality and dramatically realized figures.

The subject, translating literally to "Colinet is mocked," suggests a specific, perhaps esoteric, scene from an unidentified narrative source or possibly a piece of Blake’s own allegorical poetry. Blake frequently used mythological or narrative frameworks to explore deeply held themes of spiritual oppression, innocence, and betrayal against institutional conformity. The visual language employed by Blake emphasizes strong contrasts and dynamic compositions, characteristic of his unique and often rebellious approach to art-making during the Romantic era. While many of his contemporaries focused on traditional oil painting, Blake chose to champion the accessibility and unique expressive power of prints, believing the medium better suited for disseminating his radical religious and political ideas.

This significant print resides in the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum, contributing to the museum's holdings of early nineteenth-century British graphics. The classification as a print confirms the work's inherent reproducibility, a factor that has greatly aided in its preservation across various institutional settings. As an important piece from the 1820s, Colinet wordt bespot is frequently studied for its technical qualities and iconographic depth. Due to the historical age of this work by Blake, high-quality digital prints are often made available through public domain archives, ensuring wide accessibility for scholars and enthusiasts globally.

Cultural & Historical Context

Classification
Print

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