Restrike from fragment of cancelled plate for "A Prophecy"

Restrike from fragment of cancelled plate for "A Prophecy" by William Blake, executed in 1793, is a rare and compelling example of the artist’s inventive printmaking methods. This work is a relief etching, created using a plate inked with black from a card. The specific designation as a "restrike from a cancelled plate fragment" underscores the material complexity of Blake's working methods and the archival significance of preserving every element of his etched plates, even those damaged or discarded.

This print was created during a critical phase of Blake’s career, coinciding with the development of his major illuminated texts. The medium, relief etching, was central to the British artist’s goal of integrating image and text seamlessly, allowing him to bypass traditional publishing hierarchies and maintain total control over the production of his powerful theological and political visions. The date situates the piece firmly within the 1776 to 1800 period, a transformative era marked by the rise of Romanticism and profound social change, themes that permeate the content of his Prophetic Books.

Blake often acted as his own printer, carefully pulling impressions from his copper plates. This particular piece offers unique insight into the physical history of the original plate used for A Prophecy. Though only a fragment, the technical precision and visual intensity characteristic of Blake’s output remain evident.

The National Gallery of Art holds this important fragment among its extensive collection of prints. While original examples such as this are unique to the institution, the proliferation of high-quality digital documentation means that many of Blake's most influential prints and illustrated works are now available in the public domain, allowing scholars worldwide to study the complete breadth of his visionary achievements.