George Cumberland's Card

George Cumberland's Card by William Blake is a significant example of the artist’s late engraved works, executed in 1827. This print was created using the engraving method, rendered notably in brown ink rather than the standard black, providing a distinct, subtle quality rarely seen in commercial prints of the era.

Dating from the period 1826 to 1850, this work reflects the intensely individual production of the British artist shortly before his death. The piece functions primarily as a bespoke calling card for Blake’s long-standing friend and correspondent, George Cumberland (1754-1848), a fellow artist, writer, and avid supporter of Blake’s highly innovative approach to printmaking. The long history of friendship between the two men provided the context for such a personalized, collaborative object, underscoring the vital personal networks that sustained artistic production in the early 19th century.

The design, though miniature in scale, is emblematic of Blake’s meticulous, symbolic style, featuring delicate yet complex border work surrounding fields intended for personalized text or detailed sketches. Blake likely utilized this project as a means of technical experimentation, demonstrating a profound mastery of line density and precision crucial for handling the small format. The technical execution visible in the intricate detailing confirms why the artist remains one of the most studied masters of British prints.

This foundational example of Blake’s output is carefully preserved within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. As the work is part of the public domain, high-resolution scans and detailed studies of Blake’s precise technique are widely accessible, securing its continued importance for scholars studying the art and culture of the 1826 to 1850 period.