War (The Accusers of Theft, Adultery, Murder)

War (The Accusers of Theft, Adultery, Murder) is a profound engraving created by William Blake between 1803 and 1810. This remarkable print falls within the core of the British Romantic period, specifically the years 1801 to 1825, a time when Blake was deeply engaged in creating visionary and prophetic works that blended mythology, theology, and social critique. The medium of engraving allowed Blake to execute the precise, stark linearity characteristic of his graphic style.

This piece focuses its dramatic intensity on three towering, skeletal figures who embody the moral accusations listed in the subtitle. Blake often personified abstract concepts, using such figures to condemn institutional oppression and human failing. Here, the horror of war, a perennial theme for the artist, is inextricably linked to specific sins: theft, adultery, and murder, suggesting a divine or eternal judgment against transgression. The composition is highly stylized, presenting the figures as monumental, terrifying accusers arising from a dark landscape, possibly symbolizing the spiritual devastation caused by armed conflict and moral decay. Blake’s masterful command of light and shadow, achieved through meticulous line work inherent to the printmaking process, reinforces the monumental, timeless quality of these spectral judges.

As a key example of visionary British art from the early 19th century, this work demonstrates Blake's unique place in the history of prints and literature. The original engraving resides in the extensive collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Given the historical significance and age of the work, high-quality images of this powerful engraving are frequently made available through various institutional and public domain repositories, ensuring continued access to Blake's critical artistic statements from the 1801 to 1825 period.