The Meeting of a Family in Heaven, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair

The Meeting of a Family in Heaven, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair is a powerful engraving executed by William Blake in 1813. This work was commissioned as one of a series of illustrations intended for a deluxe edition of Robert Blair's popular 18th-century meditative poem, The Grave. The designs, originally completed by Blake in 1805, were subsequently engraved by Louis Schiavonetti under the supervision of publisher R.H. Cromek. The resulting volume, published in 1808 (with later printings like this 1813 example), successfully introduced Blake's unique spiritual vision to a wider audience through commercial prints.

The scene vividly realizes the spiritual reward promised by the poem, depicting the celestial reunion of a deceased Family. Blake visualizes Heaven as a realm of ecstatic relief and vibrant energy, where Men and Women rise from their graves to embrace loved ones. The composition is dynamic, featuring Angels who guide and welcome the resurrected spirits. The figures are rendered with the dynamic, elongated forms and powerful linearity that are hallmarks of Blake’s distinctive style, emphasizing the joyful transcendence of mortality.

As an illustration produced during the height of Blake's mature period, the work demonstrates the artist's deeply personalized approach to spiritual subjects. While Blake primarily employed complex relief etching for his own illuminated books, this illustration utilized traditional line engraving, allowing for the precise detail necessary for commercial reproduction. The resulting impression is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This influential piece is a crucial example of early 19th-century British prints and remains widely studied today, with high-quality reproductions often circulating through various public domain collections.