| AN ENTERTAINING INTRODUCTION
of twenty pages is largely biographical, containing a number of interesting
anecdotes about Blake's life. It is followed by reproductions of and annotations
for 75 of Blake¹s works. The term "painting" is taken rather loosely,
as it often must be when one discusses Blake. The works shown include plates
from illuminated books, color-printed drawings, and colored engravings.
The book is an excellent introduction to Blake's illustrations, offering
more thorough annotations of each work than is usual in this type of calalogue.
Paintings are arranged chronologically. Selections cover a wide variety
of works, and include many of the more interesting paintings available.
The first work shown is of dubious origin, but is possibly the earliest-known
engraving by Blake, King Sebert, from the Wall-Painting on the Sedelia
above his Monument (1775). The book closes with The Ancient of Days,
the frontispiece to Europe and one of Blake's best and most-often
reproduced works. It includes a good, though basic, list of suggestions
for further reading. (Kimberly Berry.) |