The artwork is titled “Illustration to Milton’s Paradise Lost,” created by William Blake in 1807. This watercolor piece is part of the Symbolism art movement and belongs to the illustration genre. It is a part of the series “Illustrations to John Milton – Paradise Lost.”
The artwork depicts a dramatic and symbolic scene inspired by John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost.” In the center, a muscular, nude figure stands atop a rocky formation with arms raised, suggesting a gesture of invocation or command. Surrounding this central figure are numerous other nude figures, each in varied poses of supplication, struggle, or despair, evocative of the infernal turmoil described in Milton’s work. The dark, swirling clouds and the depiction of flames contribute to the foreboding and intense atmosphere of the scene. The intricate use of watercolor highlights Blake’s skill in combining delicate coloration with profound thematic expression.
