"Then went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord," 18th-19th century

Editor: So, here we have William Blake's print, "Then went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord." It's quite small, almost like a jewel. The mood feels… charged. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Charged is right! Blake’s Satan isn’t just a rebel; he’s a tragic hero, a force of energy against the divine. Note how the figures seem to writhe, almost bursting from the confines of the frame. Think of Milton's Paradise Lost. The serpent frame hints at chaos unleashed. See how Blake uses light and shadow – is it an illumination or a darkening? Editor: I see what you mean about the writhing figures, they are almost suffocating. Thanks, that clarifies a lot! Curator: It's like Blake is asking us, where do we see ourselves in this cosmic drama?