A Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallows (1796) by William Blake

A Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallows - William Blake - 1796

Artwork Information

TitleA Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallows
ArtistWilliam Blake
Date1796
Art MovementSymbolism

About A Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallows

The artwork titled “A Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallows” is an illustration by artist William Blake, created in the year 1796. This piece is representative of the Symbolism art movement and is a powerful example of Blake’s illustrative work.

In the artwork, a figure of a man is depicted hanging from a wooden gallows by his ribs, presenting a harrowing scene of suffering and brutality. The man is suspended lifelessly, his body limp and head dangling, emphasizing the agony of his condition. The illustration also includes skeletal remains scattered on the ground below him, further emphasizing the grim atmosphere. The background features simple elements, such as a barren landscape and a distant ship, which might symbolize an unreachable escape or freedom. The stark contrast between the human suffering in the foreground and the muted backdrop serves to highlight the inhumanity portrayed in the illustration. This emotive piece evokes a profound commentary on the cruelty and anguish of such punishments during the era.

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