Portrait of William Blake 

Editor: Here we have a pencil drawing, "Portrait of William Blake," made by John Flaxman. There is an almost haunting quality in the rendering. The soft lines create this feeling of seeing a ghost. How might we interpret the symbolism present, if any, in this seemingly simple portrait? Curator: The ethereal quality you notice is quite fitting for Blake, don’t you think? His visionary works often explored realms beyond the tangible. The profile view, stark yet intimate, focuses our attention on his intellectual and spiritual persona. Editor: You're right. A profile almost feels detached, hinting at something beyond immediate perception. But I am curious what message the artist conveys by not engaging in a face to face gaze with the subject? Curator: It might suggest a certain reverence, a respect for Blake's inner world. Flaxman, a close friend, knew Blake’s eccentric genius well. The soft pencil lines perhaps mirror the delicacy and fleeting nature of inspiration itself, like trying to capture a dream before it fades. Does the use of a drawing material have meaning in your interpretation? Editor: Definitely. It adds to that feeling of impermanence, of a transient moment captured on paper. So the fragility of the medium is key. Thank you, that gives me a lot to consider. Curator: Indeed. The drawing becomes not just a likeness but a symbolic gesture, an attempt to preserve the essence of a visionary mind, that of a friend. Editor: A fascinating glimpse into the artists and their relationship to one another.