Artwork
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1827 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other is an engraving created by William Blake in 1827, the final year of his life.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts chaotic, symbolic imagery: winged figures wrestling in water, with others floating above ground, amidst a rugged landscape. The scene conveys a sense of turmoil and conflict, reflecting Blake's use of imaginative and symbolic expression.
Technique & Style
Blake employed cross-hatching to achieve texture and shading, particularly in the water and figures' skin. The resulting image is characterized by rough, scratchy lines, contributing to its chaotic, dreamlike quality.
History & Provenance
This engraving is part of Blake's body of work produced in London, where he spent nearly his entire career, and represents his blend of poetic and visual expression.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.
The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; The Devils Mauling Each Other
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Tormenting Ciampolo
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Tormenting Ciampolo
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; The Devils Tormenting Ciampolo
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Tormenting Ciampolo
The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Tormenting Ciampolo
The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate
The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate
The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate