The artwork titled “Illustration to Milton’s On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity,” created by William Blake in 1815, is a watercolor piece belonging to the Symbolism art movement. This illustration is part of a series entitled “Illustrations to John Milton – On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity” and falls within the genre of illustration.
The artwork depicts an allegorical interpretation of John Milton’s text with a fantastical and intense scene. Dominating the composition is a central, imposing figure, rendered in dark tones, who appears to be descending or rising amidst an inferno. Surrounding this formidable character, angelic figures and bat-like creatures with wings add to the chaotic and dynamic atmosphere. The scene is imbued with a sense of struggle or conflict, embodying Blake’s intricate and mystical style. The use of watercolor enhances the ethereal and dream-like quality of the piece, consistent with the Symbolist movement’s focus on evocative, symbolic imagery.
