Page:Life of William Blake 2, Gilchrist.djvu/314

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210
LISTS OF BLAKE'S WORKS.

yellow. A magnificent work—awful and preterhuman in its impression, even to the length of the Prophets' beards. The colour very solid, and austerely luminous. A duplicate of this is somewhat more positive and less excellent in colour. Another duplicate has black, instead of yellow, behind and upon the rays. Given in Vol. I. Chap. XIV.

24. 1795.—Newton. [Butts.] Colour-printed.

A sitting naked figure among the rocks, stooping with compasses, wherewith he is measuring on the ground. Remarkably grand in action and manner, and full in the colour of the sky and rocky bank, for the peculiar execution of which see p. 421, Vol. I.

25. 1797.—Young's Night Thoughts.

Blake has taken the folio edition of Young, two volumes, an inlaid copy, and has executed his designs, 537 in number, so as to form a margin round the text. See Vol. I. p. 136.

26. 1799 (?).—The Last Supper. [Butts.] Tempera.

The group are reclined at table in the antique mode—a point seldom or never introduced in art. Judas is so absorbed in counting over the thirty pieces of silver covertly in the palm of his hand that he remains deaf to what is being said. The effect of the lights scintillates upon a dark ground. A very interesting and, on the whole, fine picture: probably the one exhibited in the Academy (p. 140—1, Vol. I.).

27. 1799.— Charity. [Butts.] Tempera.

Charity is embodied in a female form: there are various other figures in the composition.

28. 1799.—Rachel giving Joseph the Coat of many Colours (?). [Butts.] Tempera.

The aged Israel, the still blooming and lovely Rachel, and the naked boy Joseph, form a fine group of Blake's patriarchal style. Golden, but nearly colourless, in tint, with a blue sky. The supposed 'coat of many colours' is only coloured with a blue arabesque pattern.

29. 1799.—The Adoration of the Kings. [Butts.] Tempera.

A pretty, sweet picture, with abundance of rich material.

30. 1799.—'The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.' (?) [Butts.] Tempera.

An old man, a woman, an angel, and six children, under a fruit-tree; the woman is a charming figure. Interesting in conception, if the subject is as surmised.

31. 1799 (?).—St. Matthew. [Butts.] Tempera.

Vigorously conceived. The Angel, typically associated with St. Matthew, is showing him a roll, written with blood-red characters of the Hebrew type—the record of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Matthew starts back amazed at the riches of the grace of God.