William Blake Prints in Burling

A selection of illustrations by William Blake are now on display in the Special Collections and Archives reading room, Burling lower level.

The illustrations are five of William Blake’s illustrations for Edward Young’s long poem, Night Thoughts. Young’s poem, produced during the years of 1742 through 1745, focuses on themes of mortality, the passing of time, and human weaknesses.

Where William Blake is regarded as an accomplished poet, painter, and printmaker of the Romantic Age, Edward Young, was quite influential during this time as well — Night Thoughts was one of the most popular poems of the 18th century.

Blake was commissioned in 1795 to produce illustrations for Young’s poem. Blake began this commission in the fall of 1795 and completed an astounding 537 watercolor compositions by the spring of 1797. Blake condensed the number of these illustrations down to 43 for the first volume.

Thirty of these illustrations were reproduced by Harvard University Press in 1927, five of which were reprinted in full color, and the remaining 25 in grey scale. The Special Collections and Archive owns a copy of the Harvard University Press reproduction, and the five illustrations displayed here are the color reprints from this series.

The introductory essay for the Harvard University edition, written by Sir Geoffrey Keynes, a British surgeon and author, included captions for all thirty of the reprinted illustrations. As such, each of the five illustrations displayed here is accompanied by its respective short description. 

Curated by Hannah Beshey ’22

Special Collections and Archives is open to the public Monday–Friday afternoons 1–5 p.m. and mornings by appointment. Please use this contact form to reach the staff of the Grinnell College Libraries Special Collections and Archives.