Plate 4 of ‘Visions of the Daughters of Albion’ c. 1795

Curator: This is Plate 4 from William Blake's 'Visions of the Daughters of Albion', currently residing in the Tate Collections. Blake, born in 1757, was quite the visionary. Editor: It immediately strikes me as a scene of both oppression and transcendence. The muted colors, the chains... it feels heavy. Curator: Blake often explored themes of societal constraint. The chained figure, perhaps representing a daughter of Albion, is juxtaposed with the reclining figure above, free of earthly bonds. Editor: And isn't it interesting how the chained figure is earthbound, facing away from the rising sun, while the liberated form floats ethereally? It suggests a tension between earthly suffering and spiritual escape. What do you think about Blake's politics of imagery at play in this particular work? Curator: Precisely. Blake used these images to critique the social and political structures of his time, championing individual liberty against institutional oppression. Editor: It's a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for liberation, both personal and collective. Curator: Indeed, a pertinent message to consider.