The Complete Illuminated Books of William Blake (Unabridged - With All The Original Illustrations) (ePub)

William Blake's 'The Complete Illuminated Books', unabridged and ornamented with original illustrations, stands as a testament to his unique synthesis of poetry and visual art. Within its pages lies a mesmerizing blend of prophetic verse coupled with striking, symbolic imagery that defies the conventional boundaries of book creation. The literary style is a fusion of Romanticism's fervent spirit and Blake's intrinsic rebellion against the mechanistic approach of the Enlightenment. Blake's work resurrects the medieval tradition of manuscripts and transports this antique method into the realms of visionary art and poetry. His profound dedication to the minuscule intricacies of 'Illuminated Books' is palpably present-from the imaginative inception to the final touches of paint, reflective of a labor spanning sixteen years on 'Jerusalem' alone.

William Blake (1757-1827), British poet, painter, and engraver, embarked on the physically and spiritually demanding journey of producing these illuminated treasures as a crusade against the era's prevailing rationalism and materialism. The personal philosophy of Blake extolled the primacy of imagination, a belief that infused his artistic process and output, and was mirrored in the creation of each book. An artisan in the truest sense, his work received scant recognition during his lifetime; however, he has since ascended to become a pivotal figure in the Romantic Movement, heralded for his contribution to both literary and visual arts.

Scholars, students, and admirers of visionary art and romantic literature are heartily recommended to explore 'The Complete Illuminated Books of William Blake.' This consummate collection is not merely a scholarly archive of Blake's work but an immersive experience into the depths of a transcendent art form that redefined the act of reading as a multisensory engagement. It is a pivotal acquisition for those who cherish the intertwining of word and image to reveal the profound layers of human consciousness and imagination.