Illustration to Milton`s On the Morning of Christ`s Nativity 1815

This is William Blake’s illustration to Milton’s “On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity” made with pen, ink and watercolor. Blake was a visionary artist working in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a time of great social and political upheaval. Blake's illustration visualizes Milton's poem, which describes the overthrow of pagan gods at the birth of Christ. Here we see those idols collapsing and their worshippers in disarray. Blake uses dramatic contrasts of light and shadow to create a sense of chaos and divine power. As a dissenting artist, Blake was deeply critical of established institutions, including the Church. His art often challenged conventional religious and political ideas, so we may understand his artistic choice as a critique of established power structures. Understanding Blake requires delving into the religious and political contexts of his time. Scholars often consult his illuminated books, such as "Songs of Innocence and Experience," to gain insight into his complex symbolic language. Blake's art reminds us that artistic expression is deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.