Illustration to Dante's Divine Comedy (Pity) 1795

William Blake made this watercolor, "Illustration to Dante's Divine Comedy (Pity)," using watercolor and graphite on paper. Blake was a master printmaker, and his practice was intensely material. He was less interested in the sheen of oil paint than in the graphic quality of line and color. Here, the muted colors and soft washes create a dreamlike atmosphere, reflecting the supernatural themes of Dante’s work. Blake uses the textural possibilities of watercolor to build form, manipulating its transparency to give depth to the composition. The medium also allows for a certain spontaneity; forms emerge and dissolve, blurring the line between the physical and spiritual realms. Look closely and you'll see the expressive potential of this technique. It is one of the ways Blake suggests the boundlessness of imagination. By exploring materials and techniques, Blake pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. He asks us to consider the possibilities inherent in the making process.