“Illustration to Milton’s On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity” is a watercolor artwork created by William Blake in 1809. This illustration is a part of the Symbolism art movement and falls under the genre of illustration. It is one of the works in the series titled “Illustrations to John Milton – On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity.”
The artwork portrays a scene of deep religious significance, depicting the nativity of Christ. At the center, the figure of Mary is shown kneeling with the infant Jesus in her lap, who emanates a radiant light. Joseph, standing beside Mary, gazes lovingly at the Child. The humble setting of the stable is conveyed with simplicity, with a manger and cattle present in the background. Above, an angelic figure appears to descend from the heavens, adding a divine presence to the scene. The foreground features a figure sprawled on the ground, possibly representing a symbol of mankind or nature affected by this holy event. The use of soft colors and flowing lines exemplifies Blake’s distinctive style, blending spirituality with artistic expression.
