David Delivered out of Many Waters c. 1805

Editor: Here we have William Blake's "David Delivered out of Many Waters," held at the Tate. The figures seem to be emerging from the paper itself. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Let's consider the materials and process here. Blake's use of watercolor and pen, combined with his unique printing methods, allowed for a highly personal, almost handmade quality. How might this deliberate rejection of industrial production reflect Blake's social concerns? Editor: I see. It's like he's pushing back against the factories that were emerging during his time. Curator: Precisely! The materiality speaks to his critique of labor and the growing divide between the artisan and mass production. He uses these methods to create these ethereal works. Editor: That makes me appreciate his work even more, knowing his process was so deliberate.