"And Saul Said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with Thee" [recto] c. 1780 - 1785

In this pen and ink drawing, William Blake renders a scene from the Old Testament. The central figure of Saul gestures with an open palm, blessing David as he prepares to face Goliath. Saul’s raised hand, a sign of benediction, echoes across centuries and cultures. We see it in ancient Roman art, a symbol of power and authority, and later, adopted by Christian iconography to depict divine blessing. This gesture, however, is not static. Its meaning evolves, reflecting shifts in cultural values. The act of bestowing a blessing taps into the collective unconscious, a deep-seated human desire for protection and guidance. Blake masterfully uses this primal symbolism to engage viewers on a profound level. The blessing offered is filled with complex emotions that resonate throughout time. The image's power lies in its ability to transcend time, connecting us to the enduring human dramas of faith, doubt, and the search for divine favor. This symbol is not just a relic of the past but a living, breathing entity that continues to shape our understanding of the human condition.