Reading Blake's Designs

In this innovative study, Christopher Heppner constructs a new assessment and interpretation of William Blake as an illustrator of texts that were not his own. Ranging over topics such as Blake's depiction of human figures, his handling of gesture and perspective, and the relationship with Michelangelo, Heppner considers how they are brought to bear on the 1795 color prints, the illustrations to Young's Night Thoughts and to the Bible. A large number of illustrations, including color plates, illuminates this new interpretation of a complex artist.

A new account of Blake's art focusing on his illustrations of other authors' texts.