Watercolor with pen and black ink on medium, moderately textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Sheet: 16 5/8 x 13 7/8 inches (42.2 x 35.2 cm)
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1977.14.6102
Gallery Label:
Between 1799 and 18o9 Blake produced an extensive set of biblical illustrations for Thomas Butts, a government clerk of modest means who was an enthusiastic supporter of Blake’s art. This watercolor of the parable found in Matthew 25:1-13, a version of the subject originally painted for Butts in 18o5, was made for the engraver William Haines of Chichester. Blake illustrates the moment when the writhing, foolish virgins discover they have no more oil for their lamps and the upright wise virgins refuse to share theirs. Blake has adapted his iconography from a traditional image of the judgment of souls. Gallery label for Great British Watercolors from the Paul Mellon Collection at the Yale Center for British Art (Yale Center for British Art, 2008-06-09 - 2008-08-17)