- 187
Blake, William
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Illustrations of the Book of Job. Invented & Engraved by William Blake. London: printed as the act directs march 8, 1825 by William Blake [i.e., 1874]
- ink and paper
Twenty-two post-proofs on china paper (7 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.; 193 x 158 mm), mounted on unmarked wove paper (19 7/8 x 13 1/2 in.; 505 x 343 mm). Engraved title leaf and twenty-one plates by Blake. In a beautiful presentation made hinged wooden box with glazed viewing panel to front cover wooden box by William Stender. Light foxing on a few plates. Original silk folder.
Literature
Bentley, Blake Books, 421
Catalogue Note
Blake's renowned engravings for the Book of Job.
These illustrations were begun by Blake in 1821 at the suggestion of his friend John Linnell, who hoped to help the artist secure a degree of self-sufficiency. According to Bentley, 215 proof sets were issued in 1826, with title plate dated 1825. The present set appears to be from the 1874 re-issue. Linnell's son wrote to Bernard Quaritch in 1892, explaining how the plates came to be issued again after the 1826 sets were offered: "Mr. Linnell then put the plates away, & they were never again used after this time until the year 1874. At that time my father wishing to have some prints ["i.e. not proofs" Bentley] of the Job to offer for sale, (the original 100 copies having long since been exhausted) he had 100 copies printed from the plates upon India paper… The above named impressions, taken at the two dates specified, are all that have been taken from the plates, of the Job. My father considered the plates at the last were as good as they ever were, for the work being cut with the graver, and not etched, it is durable - and is not worn by the printing as is the case with an etching."
These illustrations were begun by Blake in 1821 at the suggestion of his friend John Linnell, who hoped to help the artist secure a degree of self-sufficiency. According to Bentley, 215 proof sets were issued in 1826, with title plate dated 1825. The present set appears to be from the 1874 re-issue. Linnell's son wrote to Bernard Quaritch in 1892, explaining how the plates came to be issued again after the 1826 sets were offered: "Mr. Linnell then put the plates away, & they were never again used after this time until the year 1874. At that time my father wishing to have some prints ["i.e. not proofs" Bentley] of the Job to offer for sale, (the original 100 copies having long since been exhausted) he had 100 copies printed from the plates upon India paper… The above named impressions, taken at the two dates specified, are all that have been taken from the plates, of the Job. My father considered the plates at the last were as good as they ever were, for the work being cut with the graver, and not etched, it is durable - and is not worn by the printing as is the case with an etching."