The artwork named “Los” by William Blake, created between 1804 and 1820, is an etching that embodies the Symbolism art movement. This symbolic painting, measuring 222 x 146 cm, is housed at the Yale Centre for British Art at Yale University in New Haven, CT, US.
“Los” by William Blake is a visually striking piece that presents three entwined figures immersed in a symbolic tableau. Rendered through the etching medium, Blake’s meticulous attention to detail and allegorical intent shine through. At the center, a muscular figure holds a set of large compasses, circumscribing a radiant circle on the ground, suggesting themes of creation and measurement. Surrounding him are two other figures, one illuminated by the golden hues of the sun and adorned with a flowing drapery, and the other enveloped in darker shades, interspersed with stars and a crescent moon. The scene is imbued with cosmic symbolism, intertwining elements of light and darkness, construction and celestial bodies, encapsulated in the signature visionary style of Blake.
