Setting a Compass to the Earth (1794)

William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, painter, and printmaker, who is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age. Born in London, Blake first studied art as a boy and later apprenticed with commercial engraver James Basire. His visionary works, such as "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience," combined his poetic and artistic talents, often featuring his own handcrafted illustrations and text. Blake's work was largely unrecognized during his lifetime, but he is now regarded as one of the greatest poets in the English language and among the most original visual artists of his era. His unique method of "relief etching" and his profound and complex symbolism have left a lasting impact on literature and art.