Artwork
War (The Accusers of Theft, Adultery, Murder)
War (The Accusers of Theft, Adultery, Murder) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
William Blake created the engraving 'War (The Accusers of Theft, Adultery, Murder)' around 1806, a work characteristic of his later, symbolically dense style.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts three ghostly figures labeled 'Theft', 'Adultery', and 'Murder', conveying a sense of accusation and moral judgment. Their twisted faces and gestures suggest anger and pain, while the title 'The Accusers' implies a broader critique of humanity.
Technique & Style
Blake employed deep, crisscrossed lines to create a dramatic, high-contrast effect, emphasizing the figures' textured, heavy clothing and conveying a sense of intensity and weight.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.
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