Artwork

Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord

Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord, by William Blake, ink, 1825
Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord, by William Blake, ink, 1825

Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord is an engraving created by William Blake in 1825. It is a print on thick paper, characteristic of Blake's work as a poet, painter, and printmaker.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts a dramatic scene from a biblical source, with a dark figure ascending amidst swirling shapes and wings, while three figures below react with a mix of fear and awe. The image is dense with symbolic meaning, reflecting Blake's imaginative approach to mythological subjects.

Technique & Style

The artwork features sharp lines and deep shadows, achieved through the engraving technique, where every line is carefully etched into a metal plate. This style contributes to the scene's powerful and unsettling mood.

Context

Blake produced this work during his lifetime in London, a period when he remained largely unrecognized despite creating a body of work that would later become central to Romantic visual art and literature.

Artist & collection

Portrait of William Blake

Artist

William Blake

William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.