On Sunday I visited the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, which has a special exhibit on the poet and artist William Blake until the end of May. The exhibit, which was mainly artwork, included some drawings by Blake and select plates from his illuminated books (mainly his Prophetic Books). Work from other artists who were Blake's contemporaries or who influenced his style was also a part of the exhibit. I found most interesting: Blake's largest surviving painting "An Allegory of the Spiritual Condition of Man," "King and queen on a lily" from The Song of Los (because in the explanation it says: 'Its meaning in the context of the book is unclear.'), "Job and his family" from Illustrations of the Book of Job (because, just look at the faces on those sheep!), and "The Soldiers casting lots for Christ's Garments." In the description for this piece, it notes: 'Blake depicts Christ on the cross from behind. Despite emitting heavenly light, much of the scene is still in darkness, showing, according to Blake, humanity's indifference to the divine.' Also in the museum's collection are paintings by the Pre-Raphaelites! I also got to visit Heffers bookshop, and I rounded off the afternoon with a classy cream tea at Fitzbillies.
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| Fitzwilliam Museum |
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| Entrance hall ceiling |
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| To the galleries |
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Blake's largest surviving painting
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| King and queen on a lily |
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| Job and his Family (note the sheep) |
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| The Soldiers casting lots for Christ's Garments |
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| John Everett Millais "The Twins" |
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| D.G. Rossetti "Girl at a Lattice" |
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| Fitzbillies |
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