Frontispiece: Europe, a Prophecy (1969)

Title

Frontispiece: Europe, a Prophecy (1969)

Student Commentary:

In this image from Europe, a Prophecy (1969 facsimile), a naked man crouches on the edge of the world. His long white hair and beard flow in the wind and catch fire at the tips. This man is Urizen, creator and god-like figure of the Blakean universe. His hand is extended into the surrounding darkness. From his fingers, two beams of light shoot in opposite directions into the void, like calipers measuring the world. This image likely portrays Urizen creating the universe from the void.

Links:

Detailed View of Image at the William Blake Archive

About this Book

Source

William Blake@Union Digital Collection