William Blake, 1757–1827, BritishText by Thomas Gray, 1716–1771, British
Title:
Windsor Terrace, a Boy Contemplating a Distant View of Eton College (Design 13)
Date:
between 1797 and 1798
Materials & Techniques:
Watercolor with pen and black ink and graphite on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper with inlaid letterpress page
Dimensions:
Sheet: 16 1/2 x 12 3/4 inches (41.9 x 32.4 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Inscribed in gray ink upper right: "1"; on verso in gray ink upper left: "2"; in gray ink upper center: "Ode on a distant prospect | of Eton College | Design | 1 Windsor terrace, a Boy contemplating | a distant view of Eton College. | 2. A Boy flying a Kite | 3 Two boys wandering in the woods | by Eton College. The Shade of | Henry the Sixth is seen among | the trees. 'Henrys holy Shade.' Line 4 | 4. 'Say Father Thames for thou hast seen | Full many a sprightly race | Who formost &c' | 5. 'The captive linnet' | The rolling circle'. | murmuring labours' &c | 6. Yet see how all around them wait | The vultures of the Mind | 7. Ambition this shall tempt to rise | Then whirl the wretch from high &c"; in gray ink center right: "Design | 8. Lo in the Vale of Years beneath | The painful family of Death | 9. When Ignorance is bliss | Tis folly to be wise | 10 Boys playing at Top."
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1992.8.11(7)
Classification:
Drawings & Watercolors
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
literary theme | sky | leaning | boy | man | woman | running | river | wall | text | spires | boat | kite | sailboats
Associated Places:
Eton College
Currently On View:
Not on view
Publications:
Colin Cross, Blake revealed, William Blake : Discovery of a Masterwork , Observer, vol. 12, November 21, 1971, pp. 19-23, V 1245 Detached from Observer colour magazineJohn Russell, Blake the Craftsman, Art , Sunday Times, Issue no. 7749, December 12, 1971, p. 27, Sunday Times Digital ArchiveArnold Fawcus, Unknown Watercolours by William Blake, Illustrated London News, vol. 259, No. 6881, December 25, 1971, pp. 45-46, 49-51, Illustrated London News Historical Archive