Who painted Los and His Spectre [verso]?

Los and His Spectre [verso] was painted by William Blake in 1806.

Where can I see Los and His Spectre [verso]?

Los and His Spectre [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Los and His Spectre [verso]?

Los and His Spectre [verso] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Los and His Spectre [verso]

William Blake , 1806

Los and His Spectre [verso] is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This graphite drawing on paper, created around 1806, is a lesser-known work by William Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker. The sketch is marked with a grid, suggesting it was a preparatory study.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a kneeling figure reaching towards a ghostly presence above him. The loose, unshaded lines convey a sense of spontaneity, while the vague form of the ghostly figure adds to the sketch's enigmatic nature.

Technique & Style

Executed in graphite with squared marks, the drawing showcases Blake's quick and expressive linework. The absence of shading and the light pencil strokes create a sense of delicacy and informality, characteristic of a study rather than a finished piece.

Context

This work is part of Blake's later output, which explored visionary themes and the role of imagination. Although largely unrecognized during his lifetime, his work later became influential in Romantic-era art and literature.