"Let the day perish wherein I was born," 18th-19th century

Editor: This is William Blake's print, "Let the day perish wherein I was born." It's stark and emotionally raw. I'm struck by the central figure's pose of despair. What social injustices or historical events do you think informed Blake's vision here? Curator: Blake was deeply critical of the societal structures of his time, particularly the Industrial Revolution and the Church. This piece, drawing from the Book of Job, can be read as a lament against oppressive power. The figure’s isolation and the mourning figures around him speak to the human cost of those systems. How does the text accompanying the image deepen this reading for you? Editor: It emphasizes the profound grief and silence in the face of suffering, making it feel both personal and universal. I see it as a protest against the forces that crush the human spirit. Curator: Exactly. Blake’s work compels us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, injustice, and the enduring struggle for liberation. It's a call for empathy and resistance.