The Counsellor, King, Warrior, Mother & Child in the Tomb, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair

The Counsellor, King, Warrior, Mother & Child in the Tomb, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair is a powerful, visionary engraving created by William Blake in 1813. This print is one of a set of illustrations Blake produced for a major publishing project based on Robert Blair's popular 18th-century poem, The Grave. Utilizing the detailed linearity of the engraving medium, Blake rendered the grim reality of the burial vault, contrasting the temporary nature of earthly power with the certainty of universal Death.

The dramatic scene focuses on the interior of the tomb, where the figures of high social standing and familial connection lie interred. Blake deliberately strips these figures of their living identities, showing the corpses of the great and humble alike. The composition features a King and a Warrior, symbols of secular authority, often identifiable by the presence of broken crowns or ceremonial swords placed alongside their remains. The inclusion of the mother and child underscores Blake's broader theme that death spares no age or social class, reflecting the poem's contemplation of mortality and the promise of resurrection.

Blake’s distinctive style, characterized by intense spiritual drama and neoclassical outlines, gives this work profound emotional depth. This particular impression of the print resides in the respected collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As with many significant works by this British Romantic master, high-quality prints and reproductions of the work are widely available through various public domain art initiatives, allowing continued scholarship and appreciation of Blake's intricate interpretations of poetry and theology.