Artwork

The Circle of the Thieves; Agnolo Brunelleschi Attacked by a Six-Footed Serpent

The Circle of the Thieves; Agnolo Brunelleschi Attacked by a Six-Footed Serpent 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. Created in 1827, this copperplate engraving presents a violent encounter between a muscular figure and a six‑footed serpent.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1827, this copperplate engraving presents a violent encounter between a muscular figure and a six‑footed serpent.

Created in 1827, this copperplate engraving presents a violent encounter between a muscular figure and a six‑footed serpent. The central man, identified as Agnolo Brunelleschi, recoils with arms raised as the creature clamps onto his thigh, while three onlookers observe the struggle, two appearing particularly concerned. The composition conveys tension and imminent danger through its crowded, chaotic setting.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes a historic architect with a mythic serpent, suggesting a clash between human ingenuity and untamed nature. The anguished pose of Brunelleschi and the serpent’s aggressive bite evoke themes of vulnerability, perhaps alluding to the perils that confront even great creators when faced with forces beyond their control.

Technique & Style

Executed with bold, decisive lines, the engraving relies on dense cross‑hatching to model form and generate atmospheric depth. The stark contrast between dark shadows and illuminated areas heightens the drama, while the intricate texture of the serpent’s scales and the musculature of the figure demonstrate the artist’s command of printmaking methods.

History & Provenance

The piece was produced near the end of the artist’s life while he was residing in London, where he pursued poetry, painting, and printmaking. Though the engraving circulated in limited numbers at the time, it remained largely unnoticed during the creator’s lifetime, reflecting the broader pattern of his work’s delayed recognition.

Context

Created during the Romantic era, the image reflects the period’s fascination with the sublime and the supernatural. Its blend of literary reference—naming the Renaissance architect—and vivid visual imagination aligns with the artist’s broader practice of merging poetic narrative with graphic illustration.