Songs of Experience: The Human Abstract 1794 - 1825

"The Human Abstract" is a hand-colored illuminated printing by William Blake from his collection *Songs of Experience*. It is considered a companion piece to his earlier *Songs of Innocence*, which was written in 1789. The piece displays a distinctive romantic style with a bold, almost cartoonish depiction of a man clutching his head in despair. Blake’s use of vibrant colors, dynamic line work, and his handwritten text reflects the artistic sensibility of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The illustration is an important piece in Blake’s oeuvre, demonstrating his exploration of humanity's capacity for both good and evil.