The Head of the Ghost of a Flea. Verso: A Profile and a Reduced Drawing of Milton’s First Wife c. 1819

Editor: This is William Blake's "The Head of the Ghost of a Flea." It's a small drawing, but the flea's features are so exaggerated and grotesque. How do you interpret this unsettling image? Curator: Blake’s flea, while bizarre, speaks volumes about power dynamics and societal anxieties. Consider the flea as a parasitic entity, feeding off a larger host. What does this suggest about the relationship between the powerful and the vulnerable in Blake's time, and even our own? Editor: It’s interesting to consider it as a commentary on exploitation. So, the flea isn't just a monster, but a symbol of something bigger? Curator: Precisely. Blake often used fantastical imagery to critique social injustices. By exaggerating the flea's features, he might be highlighting the monstrous nature of those who abuse their power. What do you think Blake is saying about those in power? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way. Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about regarding the social context of this artwork. Curator: Remember, art is often a reflection of, or a challenge to, the world it inhabits.