Satan Exulting over Eve c. 1795

Curator: Here we have William Blake's "Satan Exulting over Eve" from the Tate Collections. It's a watercolor execution, existing at 432 by 534 millimeters. Editor: It has a kind of washed-out, almost tactile feel. I'm curious about what kind of paper or support Blake used, it looks so raw. Curator: Blake’s handling of light and shadow here is quite striking. Notice how he uses line to delineate Satan’s figure, emphasizing the musculature and power. The serpentine form mirrors Eve’s fallen state, visually underscoring her corruption. Editor: Considering Blake's interest in alternative printmaking and his focus on process, one has to wonder about the accessibility of these materials, and how that affected his final product. I wonder where he sourced his paper and pigments? Curator: Perhaps. Ultimately, it's a powerful depiction of moral corruption, rendered through Blake's unique symbolism and artistic vision. Editor: Absolutely. The more I consider it, the more I see this work as a testament to the constraints and possibilities inherent in Blake's chosen means of production.