The artwork, titled “The Descent Of Christ” by William Blake, was created between the years 1804 and 1820. Executed in the medium of etching, this work belongs to the Symbolism art movement and measures 222 x 146 cm. It is a religious painting and is housed at the Yale Centre for British Art at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
In this artwork, Blake portrays a dynamic and dramatic scene imbued with intense spiritual symbolism. The central figure, presumably Christ, is depicted descending from the heavens in a powerful, almost ethereal form, captured in mid-movement with his arm outstretched. The figure is surrounded by an array of swirling and dynamic forms suggestive of celestial energies or flames. Below, a figure lies prone, in a state of vulnerability or supplication, emphasizing the gravity of the divine descent. The use of fluid lines and vivid, contrasting colors draws the viewer into a profoundly contemplative narrative, characteristic of Blake’s deeply religious and symbolic artistry. The inscription within the artwork contributes to its contemplative depth, laying bare the artist’s introspective and philosophical musings.