Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto]

The powerful drawing Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto] by William Blake was created during the early years of his career, circa 1780-1785. Executed in pen and ink with wash on two joined sheets, this large-scale composition exemplifies the artist's engagement with dramatic biblical themes. The work falls within the flourishing British artistic culture spanning the period of 1776 to 1800, a time when Romantic sensibility began to displace Neoclassical restraint. This key drawing, recognized for its dramatic scale and emotional intensity, is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

In this ambitious work, Blake employs stark contrasts, utilizing the pen to define forceful lines and movement, while the applied wash creates atmosphere, volume, and depth. The subject, likely derived from an Old Testament narrative detailing divine intervention during a period of pestilence, allows the artist to explore frenetic, muscular figures and extreme pathos. While the exact moment depicted remains slightly ambiguous, suggested by the parenthetical question mark in the title, the drawing displays the dramatic energy characteristic of Blake’s early efforts to master human anatomy and emotional expression. His stylistic influences here clearly draw upon the dynamic compositions and anatomical intensity found in Renaissance drawing traditions.

The monumental scale and detailed execution suggest that Blake intended this piece as a preparatory study for a potentially larger, unexecuted painting or perhaps as a presentation piece to showcase his evolving ability. As a significant document of Blake’s transition from formal apprenticeship to independent artistry, the drawing Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto] offers insight into the complex aesthetics of the British art scene near the close of the century. Although safeguarded within the NGA collection, the historical and artistic importance of this masterwork ensures that high-quality prints and references are widely accessible today, frequently available through public domain resources dedicated to the art history of the 1776 to 1800 period.