"And when they lifted up their eyes afar off," 18th-19th century

Editor: This is William Blake's "And when they lifted up their eyes afar off," a print housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The figures seem to be engulfed by grief. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: The dynamism of the lines, particularly in the figure on the left, and the contrast with the stillness of the central figures, creates a powerful tension. Note also the symmetry of the composition, framing the central scene. What do these formal choices suggest to you? Editor: Perhaps a struggle between action and resignation? I hadn't considered the symmetry before. Curator: Precisely. Blake masterfully uses form to convey complex emotional states. The text, too, functions as an intrinsic part of the overall design. Editor: It’s amazing how much the formal elements contribute to the emotional impact of the piece. Curator: Indeed, Blake was a visionary in understanding the unity of form and content.