William Blake, Tate Britain - ★★★★★ - Until February 2, 2020


William Blake's evocative and enigmatic images are ubiquitous and many of them are now recognised from being repurposed in the most amazing ways! This comprehensive exhibition seeks to recontextualise the artist's work. Blake, the student of the Royal Academy; Blake, the husband whose wife worked with him on his art; Blake, the loyal friend and sometimes nemesis of his patrons; Blake, the hard-working engraver striving to make a living and Blake, the inspiration for a younger generation of artists: these are all here. These aspects of the mercurial genius are presented along with that other Blake: the mystic, free spirit, poet, revolutionary and uniquely personal interpreter of Shakespeare, Dante and the Bible. This exhibition brings together all the work we are familiar with including Newton, Ghost of a Flea and Ancient of Days, but there is also some wonderful work that is probably less known such as the self-portrait exhibited in the UK for the first time and Pilgrim's Progress from near the end of his life. The recreation of the room for the failed 1809 exhibition is also fascinating. There is so much to see in this first major exhibition of Blake's work in almost a generation, be sure to allot enough time to enjoy it all. This is a definitive retrospective!

Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until February 2, 2020
Mon - Sun: 10 am - 6 pm
Open until 10 pm each first Friday of the month (except January)
Tate Britain
Nearest tube: Pimlico
https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/william-blake-artist
Map & Location: Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RG, UK

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 Our Score: ☆☆☆☆☆

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