Artwork

Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other

Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other is a watercolour artwork by William Blake, dating to approximately 1803. Characterized by dreamy, soft-hued visuals and swirling lines, the piece depicts a serene, visionary scene.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork illustrates a bearded, robed figure seated on a throne with an open book, surrounded by floating angels bearing glowing wings and scrolls. Below, two kneeling figures gaze upwards with gentle expressions, conveying a harmonious convergence of divine virtues.

Technique & Style

Blake employed watercolour to achieve smooth transitions between light and shadow, enhancing the piece's ethereal quality. The overall style evokes a visionary, somewhat abstracted representation.

History & Provenance

Commissioned by Thomas Butts, the work was initially acquired by him shortly after creation, inherited by his son Thomas Butts Jr., sold at auction in 1852, and later donated to a collection in 1884 by Charles Wentworth Dilke.