Moby-Dick™

Update for Astrid Lindgren:

Every night, and every morn,
Some to misery are born.
Every morn, and every night,
Some are born to sweet delight.
Some are born to sweet delight.
Some are born to endless night.

William Blake: Auguries of Innocence, 1800—1803, published 1863

William Blake was born in Broad Street (now Broadwick Street), Soho, London, on 28th November 1757, and died, less than a mile away, in Charing Cross, on 12th August 1827, singing songs of joy and triumph.

In his lifetime he was largely unrecognised, but if ever there was an artist who became happy with what he created and how he had been blessed to live, it was William Blake. Among the things he invented is the principle to print on demand and a strange illustration technique called relief etching that was not fully comprehended before 1947.

His system of “print on demand” allowed some of his works to be reproduced posthumously: With a little help from his friends, he continued creating original copies even after his death. Among his numerous talents is second sight. His happiness is due to his rich sexual life, which is hinted all over his works. For a great part of his time on earth, he may be imagined etching copper plates with his own poems and pictures: A labouring and loving man he was.

In the years since his death he has become one of the most famous and influential artistic figures in English history, rivalling even Charles Dickens as the greatest English literary figure since William Shakespeare.

There is no “correct” Blake, but only the Blake which one personally needs. Those who come under his spell emerge with not only with the benefit of his artistic prowess and power, but with a greater understanding of themselves. As such, whether he is merely the messiah of the written word, or in fact a conduit for some deep and personal spiritual growth, William Blake’s influence has filtered through into every aspect of contemporary art, from poetry and prose, to popular music, film, theatre, and multimedia.

German booktrade has not exactly dislocated its arm to celebrate Mr. Blake’s quarter chiliad. At least Matthes & Seitz have republished a bilingual edition of his Montypythonesque juvenilium An Island in the Moon/Eine Insel im Mond.

Image: William Blake: Europe Supported By Africa and America, 1796.