The Wrath of Elihu Possibly 1825 - 1874

Curator: William Blake's "The Wrath of Elihu," exists as an etching, a mechanical means of reproducing images that democratizes access. Consider the labor involved in the meticulous carving of the plate, then the printing process. How does this affect our understanding of its spiritual subject matter? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about the means of production impacting the work's meaning. What do you see as the key tension or idea being explored through these choices? Curator: The tension lies in Blake’s critique of institutionalized religion. By utilizing a reproductive medium, Blake undermines the preciousness associated with unique artworks, aligning himself with a more accessible and perhaps rebellious approach to disseminating spiritual ideas. What do you think about that? Editor: So, the material choice becomes a statement in itself, a challenge to established hierarchies. I guess I hadn't considered art-making as that direct of a form of social commentary. Curator: Precisely! The mode of production is inherently linked to the message.