The Last Trumpet (recto); Two studies of a right eye, a profile of an open-mouthed young man, the head of an eagle, and the head of a lion (verso)

The Last Trumpet (recto); Two studies of a right eye, a profile of an open-mouthed young man, the head of an eagle, and the head of a lion (verso) by William Blake is a powerful preparatory drawing created between 1780 and 1785, capturing the apocalyptic fervor that characterized much of the artist’s work. The recto, dominated by the visionary theme of the Last Judgment, utilizes a complex combination of pen and gummed carbon black ink layered with gray ink washes. Blake achieved dramatic intensity through graphite underdrawing and reductive techniques, focusing the viewer’s attention on the figures ascending or falling at the call of the Trumpets. The chaotic composition features numerous Men and Women, rendered in dynamic, contorted poses suggesting spiritual anguish and dramatic transformation.

The reverse side of this sheet offers a remarkable contrast, composed of preparatory studies executed swiftly in black chalk. This verso showcases Blake’s detailed interest in both human anatomy and symbolic iconography, featuring two meticulous studies of a right eye, a distinctive profile of an open-mouthed young man, and exploratory renderings of the heads of an eagle and a lion. These anatomical studies and profiles provide critical insight into the working methods of the visionary Romantic artist, allowing him to refine forms that would appear in later paintings and prints. Classified as a drawing, this piece demonstrates Blake's early mastery of ink wash and graphite before he dedicated himself fully to his famous illuminated books. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and high-quality prints reflecting this essential period of Blake's development are widely available through public domain sources.