Who painted Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees?

Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees was painted by William Blake in 1783.

Where can I see Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees?

Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees?

Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees

William Blake , 1783

Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1783 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Orlando in a Fury Tearing up Trees is a 1783 engraving by William Blake, embodying his characteristic fusion of imaginative and symbolic elements. As a multifaceted artist—poet, painter, and printmaker—Blake's work, though underappreciated in his lifetime, would later solidify his position within the Romantic movement.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a muscular, enraged figure uprooting a tree, set against a turbulent, dark background. This vivid representation of fury aligns with Blake's thematic engagement with literature and mythology, reflecting his unique blend of visual and poetic expression.

Technique & Style

Blake utilized cross-hatching in the engraving, employing intricate, crisscrossed lines to achieve deep shadows and textured surfaces, intensifying the scene's emotional intensity and physicality.

History & Provenance

Created in 1783, the work is part of Blake's early output that would eventually contribute to his posthumous recognition as a central Romantic figure. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

This piece sits within Blake's broader practice of integrating the visual and poetic, characteristic of his Romantic-era innovations that emphasized imagination and emotional depth.

Legacy

While the engraving's immediate impact in 1783 is not detailed, it contributes to Blake's overall legacy as a visionary artist, influencing subsequent artistic and literary movements with its expressive and symbolic depth.