Fragment of cancelled plate for "A Prophecy" [recto]

Fragment of cancelled plate for "A Prophecy" [recto] is a unique example of technical material created by William Blake in 1793. This piece is a relief etched copper plate, demonstrating the highly innovative printmaking techniques Blake developed for producing his illuminated books during the height of the Romantic era. Classified as a technical object rather than a final printed image, this fragment offers direct insight into the practical, painstaking processes involved in creating Blake's renowned body of work.

The period of 1776 to 1800 was crucial for the flourishing of experimental printmaking in British art, and Blake stands as a central, revolutionary figure in this movement. The designation "cancelled plate" indicates that Blake either chose not to use this specific fragment further, or deliberately defaced the matrix to prevent the production of later, unauthorized, or substandard prints. Such plates, often fragmented or scarred, provide invaluable evidence of Blake's intricate, hand-wrought print cycles, particularly those related to his visionary poetic works, like the larger project A Prophecy.

This surviving material helps scholars reconstruct Blake’s highly personal approach to combining text and image, a hallmark of his unique artistic practice. The Technical Material classification underscores its importance not merely as a piece of sculpture, but as a historical tool utilized in the physical production of his finished books. This rare artifact is preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. As much of Blake's work from this era is now in the public domain, the rigorous study of these physical production elements, like the copper plate fragments, enhances the understanding and appreciation of his finished prints available globally.