William Blake
1 portrait matching these criteria:
- npg number matching '212'
William Blake
by Thomas Phillips
oil on canvas, 1807
36 1/4 in. x 28 3/8 in. (921 mm x 720 mm)
Purchased, 1866
Primary Collection
NPG 212
Sitter
William Blake (1757-1827), Visionary poet and painter. Sitter in 10 portraits, Artist associated with 3 portraits.
Artist
Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 159 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
This Portrait
Often misunderstood or scorned for his radical politics, Blake's work was only recognised by close friends like Fuseli and Flaxman and his disciple, the young Samuel Palmer. Phillips is said to have caught Blake's 'rapt poetic expression' by luring him to talk of his friendship with the Archangel Gabriel.
Related Works
NPG D14447: William Blake (after)
NPG D19979: William Blake (after)
NPG D20157: William Blake (after)
Linked Publications
Sound Guide
Holmes, Richard, Insights: The Romantic Poets and Their Circle, 2005, p. 26
Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, London, 2002, p. 45
Parris, Matthew, Heroes and Villains: Scarfe at the National Portrait Gallery, 2003 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 30 September 2003 - 4 April 2004), p. 44
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 60
Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 49
Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantic Icons, 1999, p. 39
On display in Room 18 at the National Portrait Gallery
