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 a 1827 engraving by William Blake, produced as a restrike of an earlier work. It exemplifies Blake's distinctive style, which combines imaginative and symbolic elements.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts two muscular, winged figures wrestling in turbulent water, their faces contorted in agony. The scene is set against a backdrop of swirling waves and ghostly figures in the sky, suggesting a realm of moral reckoning.
Technique & Style
Blake employed cross-hatching, a technique involving fine, intersecting lines, to create depth and texture in the engraving, particularly in the water and the figures' wings. This method contributes to the dynamic, expressive quality of the image.
Context
As a late work by Blake, this engraving reflects his ongoing exploration of visionary and symbolic themes, characteristic of his contributions to Romantic-era art and poetry.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.
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 Traitors; Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate
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 Corrupt Officials; the Devils Tormenting Ciampolo
The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate