When the Morning Stars Sang Together

When the Morning Stars Sang Together

William Blake

1825

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This picture shows a dark, dreamy scene with figures floating in the sky. At the top, five naked people with wings stand in a line, arms raised like they’re singing. Below them, a cloudy figure with long hair kneels, surrounded by three smaller people—one looks sad, another holds something, and the third has wild hair. The whole image is drawn with sharp lines and shadows, giving it a carved, almost ghostly look. The artist used a method called cross-hatching to create deep shadows and textures. The lines crisscross to build up darkness, making the figures stand out against the sky. Look up engraving to see how artists use lines to make dramatic light and shadow.

More by William Blake

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app