"I have heard thee with the hearing of the Ear," 18th-19th century

Curator: William Blake, born in London in 1757, created this striking engraving titled "I have heard thee with the hearing of the Ear." Editor: It's stark, intense. The composition feels very deliberate, almost staged. The light is dramatic, especially the radiating beams. Curator: Blake was deeply invested in spiritual and political reform, and his art often critiques institutional power. Here, consider the implications of divine authority being directly bestowed. Editor: Right, you see the figures kneeling, being touched…the very texture of the engraving seems to emphasize the weight of this divine presence. It’s all about line and shadow. Curator: Blake's unique technique allowed him to self-publish radical ideas, bypassing the established art world, and taking on societal issues directly. Editor: It's as if Blake is using the formal qualities of the medium itself to underscore the power and the politics embedded in the image. Curator: Precisely, that’s the enduring legacy of Blake's revolutionary vision. Editor: A compelling piece. I find the dramatic contrasts truly captivating, even now.