The artwork, titled “Illustration to Milton’s Paradise Lost,” is a watercolor created by the esteemed artist William Blake in 1808. This piece is part of the Symbolism art movement and falls under the genre of illustration. It is one illustration within the series “Illustrations to John Milton – Paradise Lost,” which visually interprets the epic narrative of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
The artwork depicts a scene imbued with symbolic elements and dramatic figures. In the foreground, three muscular male figures stand prominently, each adorned with wings, suggesting their angelic nature. The central figure, distinguished by his ornate, white hair and beard, holds the hands of the other two, forming a unifying gesture. Around their feet, a serpent winds, evoking biblical allusions. Surrounding them in the background, a series of intense, fiery faces loom with horse-like forms, emerging amidst dramatic swirls and flashes, conveying an atmosphere of celestial and infernal conflict. The detailed and expressive use of watercolor enhances the transcendental and ethereal quality of the scene, characteristic of Blake’s visionary style.