The Canterbury Pilgrims

The Canterbury Pilgrims

William Blake

1810

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a busy crowd of people on horseback and on foot, all moving in the same direction. Some ride tall horses with fancy saddles, while others walk beside them. The scene looks like a journey, with a church tower and a town in the background. The sky is dark and dramatic, and the people wear old-fashioned clothes—some look rich, others plain. The title at the bottom calls them "Canterbury Pilgrims," which means they’re on a trip for religious reasons. The artist packed in lots of details, like the different faces and poses, making it feel alive. To learn more, check out the technique: engraving.

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