The artwork is a watercolor illustration created by the artist William Blake in the year 1808. It belongs to the Symbolism art movement and is an illustration genre piece, specifically part of a series titled “Illustrations to John Milton – Paradise Lost.” The artwork is formally titled “Illustration to Milton’s Paradise Lost.”
This compelling watercolor illustration by William Blake vividly portrays a scene from John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost.” Central to the composition are three prominent male figures, depicted with classical grandeur and muscular physiques. The central figure, likely an angel, is distinguished by his ethereal wings and central placement. Flanking him on both sides are two other figures in dynamic poses. Surrounding the trio are various symbolic elements, including foreboding expressions of horse heads and stately bearded figures dispersed amongst the background, as well as sinuous serpentine forms winding around their feet. The dramatic tonal contrasts and flowing lines capture the powerful and imaginative essence of Milton’s literary work, rendered through Blake’s distinctive visionary artistry.
