William Blake (1757 – 1827) ~ Quote of the Day

William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827), English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age.  His prophetic poetry has been said to form "what is in proportion to its merits the least read body of poetry in the English language".  His visual artistry has led one contemporary art critic to proclaim him "far and away the greatest artist Britain has ever produced".   Considered mad by contemporaries for his idiosyncratic views, Blake is held in high regard by later critics for his expressiveness and creativity, and for the philosophical and mystical undercurrents within his work. His paintings and poetry have been characterised as part of both the Romantic movement and "Pre-Romantic",  for its large appearance in the 18th century. Reverent of the Bible but hostile to the Church of England – indeed, to all forms of organised religion – Blake was influenced by the ideals and ambitions of the French and American revolutions.  

“A truth that's told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent.” 
                                                                           ~ William Blake, Auguries of innocence