The Descent of the Angels to One of the Daughters of Men c. 1824 - 1827

William Blake created this pencil sketch, "The Descent of Angels to One of the Daughters of Men," in England during the late 18th or early 19th century. It depicts a scene of angels interacting with a human woman, drawn from the apocryphal Book of Enoch. Blake's art often challenges the religious and social norms of his time. The image presents a radical vision of spirituality, imagining a moment of contact between the divine and the earthly. The book of Enoch, which was excluded from the biblical canon, tells the story of angels who fathered children with humans. Blake’s choice of subject matter hints at his progressive leanings and critique of institutionalized religion. To fully grasp Blake's artistic vision, we might consult his illuminated books, such as "Songs of Innocence and Experience," or study the intellectual and religious movements of his era. Understanding the social and institutional context in which Blake worked allows us to better appreciate the depth and complexity of his art.