King Edward c. 1819

Editor: Here we have William Blake’s pencil drawing "King Edward," created around 1819. It feels very academic, with those careful lines. I'm struck by the visible strokes. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Well, beyond the immediate representation, I'm drawn to the very act of its production. Think about the pencil, a relatively common material even then. Who had access to pencils? What sort of paper was Blake using? Was it mass-produced, or handmade? And how does that materiality inform our understanding of Blake's project? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn’t thought about the pencil itself having a social context. Curator: Exactly. Blake often challenged established norms. This portrait, seemingly straightforward, uses readily available, almost quotidian materials. Is he democratizing art in some way through his choice of materials, making it more accessible both in terms of production and perhaps reception? Or is he constrained by his economic reality? Editor: So, by looking at the materials, we can almost unpack Blake’s position in society at that time, and perhaps even comment on art production itself? Curator: Precisely. We also can consider how such choices intersect with the final work. Look at the sketchiness; is it a style choice, reflecting a romantic sensibility, or is it a result of working quickly and economically? Editor: I guess I always just considered pencil drawings as, well, preliminary, never considering their own socio-economic significance. Curator: The materials and process are inextricably linked to the social conditions of its creation. Editor: Thanks! I will definitely view pencil sketches in a new way now. Curator: As will I. It’s useful to have my preconceptions challenged from time to time.