Who painted Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto]?

Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto] was painted by William Blake in 1782.

Where can I see Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto]?

Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto]?

Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto]

William Blake , 1782

Moses Staying the Plague (?) [recto] is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Moses Staying the Plague (?

About this work

Overview

Moses Staying the Plague (?) is a drawing created by William Blake around 1782, executed in pen and ink with wash on two joined sheets. Characteristic of Blake's style, the work embodies his emphasis on symbolic and imaginative themes.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a bearded figure, possibly Moses, standing over four prostrate individuals who reach up towards him in varied postures. The scene conveys a sense of dynamic interaction, though its exact narrative interpretation remains speculative due to the question mark in the title.

Technique & Style

Blake employed loose, quick lines and selective shading to achieve a sketchy, unfinished appearance. Jagged, uneven lines around the figures and liberal use of light strokes emphasize movement and emotional intensity, contributing to the work's vibrant, dynamic feel.

History & Provenance

Created during Blake's lifetime in London, this drawing reflects his early engagement with narrative and symbolic subjects. Despite Blake's limited recognition during his lifetime, works like this would later influence Romantic-era art and poetry.

Context

Produced in 18th-century London, the drawing is part of Blake's broader oeuvre that celebrated the imagination and symbolic expression, setting a precursor tone for the Romantic movement in visual arts.

Legacy

Though unrecognised in Blake's lifetime, Moses Staying the Plague (?) now stands as a representative example of his artistic vision, contributing to his posthumous reputation as a central figure in Romantic visual and literary arts.