Restrike from fragment of cancelled plate for "A Prophecy"

The work Restrike from fragment of cancelled plate for "A Prophecy" was created by William Blake in 1793. This piece is a unique physical document of Blake’s experimental printmaking practice, executed during the pivotal creative period spanning 1776 to 1800. Classified as a print, the medium is described as a combination of relief etching and intaglio printmaking, techniques that allowed Blake to merge image and text seamlessly in his innovative illuminated books.

The designation "restrike from fragment of cancelled plate" indicates that the impression was pulled from a portion of the original copper plate utilized for the larger work, A Prophecy. The plate was intentionally cancelled after its initial use, meaning the surface was scored or damaged to prevent further official printings. However, this fragment captures a preserved section of the original design, providing rare insight into the preparatory stages and material history of Blake’s oeuvre.

As a leading figure in British art and literature of the late 18th century, Blake developed sophisticated and often idiosyncratic methods for producing his illustrated volumes. The simultaneous use of relief etching (where raised lines hold the ink) and intaglio (where incised lines hold the ink) allowed Blake to achieve a complexity of line and tone distinct from the standardized engraving practices of his contemporaries. The fragment showcases the meticulous detail Blake applied even to the supporting elements or borders of his printed works.

Restrikes like this one serve to document the history of the copper plate itself, offering material evidence of the artist’s legacy. Many of Blake's prints from this era are highly valued for their originality and technical innovation within the printmaking tradition. This impression is part of the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. As with many important historical prints, high-resolution documentation of the work is often made available to the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to study Blake’s singular contributions to visual culture.