JERUSALEM (ePub)

William Blake (1757-1827) was not only a seminal figure in the history of both poetry and visual arts but also an iconoclastic and visionary British poet, painter, and printmaker. His unique synthesis of art and poetry has earned him recognition as one of the most significant cultural figures of the Romantic Age. Blake's corpus of work is extensive and profound, with 'Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion' being one of his most ambitious and complex prophetic books, which he both wrote and illustrated. The work encapsulates Blake's rich symbolism and his belief in the spiritual and artistic emancipation of mankind. Blake published 'Jerusalem' in 1804 but continued to work on it until his death. It stands out not only for its visionary qualities but also for its challenge to the political and social norms of his time. His creative genius often combined the visionary with the revolutionary, intertwining mythology, Christian mysticism, and his prophetic visions. 'Jerusalem' is emblematic of Blake's literary style, which includes not only a unique mythology and the creation of a vast, metaphysical landscape but also a critique of the contemporary socio-political scene. Notably, his work was not widely appreciated during his lifetime, but in the Victorian era, it began to ascend in stature, with Blake now recognized as a saintly figure of British Romanticism, and 'Jerusalem' standing as a testament to his extraordinary imaginative power.