A unique, original poet-artist for sure. Kultur has done many strong videos on famous artists and this one does a nice job outlining and explaining Blake’s life and achievements.
He started having visions when he was young, which continued into adulthood and inspired his best work. He was truly one-of-a-kind combining engraving, watercolors, and poetry in his own self-published illuminated works. Despite having only one modest, loyal patron, Blake cobbled a career, with the help of his devoted wife, during the late 1700s-early 1800s. He is, unquestionably, the first significant artist of English Romanticism.
The video shows many of his works from beginning to end with comments and opinions by English art critic-Blake fans. They all comment on his apprenticeship, his departure from classicism, his Gothic influences, his unique swirly style (shades of van Gogh and Emily Carr), and his own strange personal (religious) mythos. They emphasize his imaginary powers, his unconventionality, and integrity in not compromising or selling out.
Simply put, there has never been anyone who created poetry and art like William Blake. He is a true Master as this 50 minute documentary argues successfully.
Other artists in the English Masters series include: Hogarth, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Turner, and Constable. Highly recommended and not a waste of time like all the unfunny, rude, crude, asinine current tv sitcoms.