When the Morning Stars Sang Together

"When the Morning Stars Sang Together" is a celebrated engraving created by William Blake in 1825. Executed in the challenging medium of engraving on thick paper, this work exemplifies the innovative prints created by the British artist late in his career. Produced during the period spanning 1801 to 1825, this piece showcases Blake’s highly distinctive approach to illustrating complex spiritual and poetic subjects.

The title is a direct reference to the Book of Job, a text Blake interpreted extensively, illustrating the moment when the foundations of the earth were laid and the Sons of God rejoiced at creation. Blake interprets this moment with characteristic visionary dynamism, depicting a burst of light and celestial figures rejoicing. While the original composition is small, the rigorous technique required for the engraving process allowed Blake to achieve intense contrasts and remarkably delicate linework, giving the figures an ethereal, weightless quality appropriate for a heavenly scene. This detailed method of producing prints became central to Blake's practice, allowing him to disseminate his complex philosophical and theological narratives to a wider audience.

As a pivotal example of British Romantic art from the early 19th century, the profound originality displayed in this piece cements Blake's reputation as a masterful printmaker and poet-illustrator. The finished work, part of a larger portfolio series relating to biblical texts, highlights the cultural and intellectual intensity of the 1801 to 1825 era. Today, the original impression of When the Morning Stars Sang Together is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, available for study as an iconic example of Blake's later style.