Death of the Strong Wicked Man, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair

Death of the Strong Wicked Man, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair is a powerful engraving created by William Blake in 1813. This print is one of Blake’s illustrations for Scottish poet Robert Blair’s influential 1743 poem, The Grave, which explores themes of mortality, resurrection, and the moral consequence of human life. The commission for these illustrations was significant, and Blake, an innovator in the art of prints, etched and engraved the final plates himself, ensuring his unique vision was fully realized.

The scene captures the dramatic climax of the wicked man’s earthly existence. Blake centers the composition on the newly deceased figure, a powerful male nude whose muscular form has surrendered completely to death. His collapsed posture, splayed across the floor, conveys a sense of finality and physical emptiness. Around the central figure, several women and other men display intense sadness and profound grief. Their distressed poses emphasize the emotional and spiritual weight of the moment, serving as a powerful visual interpretation of the poem’s focus on the terror associated with the passing of an immoral person.

This striking illustration, classified specifically as an engraving, reflects Blake’s mastery of the medium, utilizing dense linework and dramatic contrasts common in early 19th-century prints. The work is recognized as a significant piece of British Romantic art and is housed within the prestigious collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. As a historically significant artwork, Death of the Strong Wicked Man, from "The Grave," is widely available through public domain initiatives, allowing for the widespread study of Blake’s distinctive exploration of the human condition and mortality.