The Creation
1825
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1825
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Creation is a 1825 ink by William Blake, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a dark, swirling sky filled with floating figures—some with outstretched arms, others kneeling. At the top, five winged beings stand in a line, their faces glowing against the night. Below them, a bearded man sits on a cloud, surrounded by smaller figures who seem to be praying or watching. The edges of the print are packed with tiny scenes of stars, planets, and text like *"Let there be Light"* and *"Let the Waters bring forth."* The artist used sharp lines and shadows to create depth, especially in the cloudy background. The text at the bottom reads *"When the morning Stars sang together,"* tying the scene to creation stories. Look up engraving to see how artists like Blake carved intricate details into metal plates.
