Illustration to Milton`s Paradise Lost 1807

This illustration to Milton's Paradise Lost was made by William Blake using watercolor and ink. Blake was not just an artist but also a printmaker, and that’s important to keep in mind when looking at this image. Notice how the ink lines define the figures, giving them a sculptural, almost three-dimensional quality. The watercolor wash adds depth and atmosphere, creating a dramatic contrast between light and shadow. This is not merely painting, but a combination of techniques, bringing printmaking's precision and reproducibility to the expressiveness of watercolor. Blake's art was a form of rebellion against the industrial revolution then gaining pace in England. His emphasis on handcraft, and the unique qualities of each impression, was a direct challenge to the rise of mass production and the alienation of labor. By focusing on materials, making, and social context, we can appreciate Blake's illustrations not just as literary interpretations, but as powerful statements about the value of human creativity.