Queen Elizabeth and Essex (after Henry Fuseli) Possibly 1797 - 1798

Curator: This is William Blake's "Queen Elizabeth and Essex (after Henry Fuseli)," currently residing in the Tate Collections. Editor: My first impression is a stark drama, heightened by the sharp contrast of light and shadow. Curator: Blake's engagement with Fuseli here is fascinating, considering Fuseli’s influence on the gothic and the macabre. Look at the way Blake uses etching, a readily available technique, to translate Fuseli’s imagery. Editor: Indeed, the lines are so economical, yet convey so much tension. The rigid, vertical lines in the background, contrasted with the bowed figure... it speaks of power and vulnerability. Curator: And the implied social dynamics at play. Essex's supplication underscores the power structure, but Blake's artistic labor adds another layer of meaning. This print circulated, bringing this scene to a wider audience. Editor: It's a compelling visual analysis of influence and political tension. Curator: Absolutely, an image of its time, reworked by Blake to question power.