King John Absolved by Pandulph (after Henry Fuseli) Possibly 1797 - 1798

Editor: This is William Blake's "King John Absolved by Pandulph," after Henry Fuseli. The lines are so precise, yet the scene feels chaotic. There's a real sense of drama and, honestly, a bit of unease. What do you make of it all? Curator: Ah, Blake! He saw the world through a different lens, didn't he? This engraving, a copy of Fuseli, drips with a sense of performance, of power plays. King John, groveling! It’s all a little…theatrical, don't you think? Editor: Theatrical, yes! But also slightly disturbing. It's like everyone is acting a part. Curator: Precisely! And perhaps Blake is hinting at the emptiness of these roles. Absolution, power, subservience...are they truly felt, or just costumes we wear? Food for thought, wouldn't you say?