Artwork

A woman gazing at the prostate body of a man, around which a serpent is coiled

A woman gazing at the prostate body of a man, around which a serpent is coiled is a drawing by William Blake. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This pencil drawing by William Blake features a woman contemplatively gazing at a prone male figure, encircled by a coiled serpent. Executed in loose, rapid lines, the work conveys a sense of immediacy.

Subject & Meaning

The scene juxtaposes the woman's calm posture with the tension in the man's body, while the serpent's presence introduces an element of foreboding or transformation, characteristic of Blake's symbolic explorations.

Technique & Style

Blake's loose, quick pencil strokes define the composition, with sharp, repetitive lines used for the serpent's coils. The overall effect is one of dynamic sketchiness, suggesting a rapidly captured idea.

Context

Created during a period when Blake was deeply engaged with mystical and symbolic themes, this drawing may reflect his interests in the interplay between humanity and primal or spiritual forces.

Legacy

While not widely renowned on its own, this drawing contributes to the broader understanding of Blake's thematic preoccupations and his practice of rapidly sketching ideas, influencing later artists in their approach to symbolic and expressive drawing.