The Canterbury Pilgrims

The Canterbury Pilgrims by William Blake, executed in 1810, is a landmark achievement in British printmaking from the period encompassing 1801 to 1825. This ambitious engraving captures the iconic procession described in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, depicting the varied group of travelers setting forth from the Tabard Inn.

Blake’s decision to produce this work stemmed partly from a professional rivalry with Thomas Stothard, whose own interpretation of the subject had proven immensely popular. However, Blake's approach differed radically. Instead of prioritizing picturesque scenery and gentle Romanticism, Blake aimed for a severe, highly stylized presentation, rooted in his distinctive visionary aesthetic. He treated the scene almost as an antique frieze, arranging the pilgrims in a horizontal line that emphasizes their character types and moral essences, reflecting the artist’s belief that Chaucer’s figures represented universal human conditions.

The detailed execution showcases Blake's mastery of the demanding engraving medium. He meticulously utilized line work and careful cross-hatching to define individual features, creating figures such as the Knight, the Wife of Bath, and the Pardoner, each rendered with profound intensity. Although Blake struggled commercially to market the individual prints during his lifetime, this depiction of The Canterbury Pilgrims remains critical for understanding his later graphic work and his enduring commitment to elevating linear drawing over painterly effects.

This significant piece of British cultural history resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key reference for studying nineteenth-century prints and the continuing influence of literary narratives on visual art. Like other works of this period, some impressions of this highly influential image may today be found in the public domain.