Los's Spectre (1951)

Title

Los's Spectre (1951)

Student Commentary:

In this image from Jerusalem (1951 facsimile) the figure of the creative spirit Los is shown at his forge, in conflict with opposing energies. The "Spectre" that oppresses him is not, however, necessarily external to him, but part of him. The imagery is one of fire and the poem on the page refers to the “terrible wrath” of Los when confronted with the divisive force of the Spectre. He stamps his feet and throws down his hammer in fury. In the image, however, Los himself appears to be calm and relaxed, perhaps suggesting that he is also “unterrified” by the Spectre, as the next page of the poem reports.

Links:

Detailed View of Image at the William Blake Archive

About this Book

Source

William Blake@Union Digital Collection