Being a library, you would expect John Rylands’ latest exhibition on the works of William Blake to be about the artist’s literary endeavours. However, a team of curators have been working with art historian Colin Trodd over the past two years to uncover a significant hoard of books containing designs and engravings by the poet, painter and printmaker. Blake (1757-1827) started his career as a copy engraver, working for many booksellers – though the works he created during this time were usually for designs by other artists. From Friday, you will be able to see his own work from an exquisitely hand-coloured copy of Young’s Night Thoughts to a copy of his own masterpiece The Book of Job. This promises to be astounding exhibition of one man’s work and how it has inspired countless writers and artists since, housed in the most architecturally stunning building in Manchester. A must.
Fri 8 Feb – Sun 23 Jun, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, M3 3EH, Tel: 0161 306 0555, Mon 12pm – 5pm, Tue – Sat 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12pm – 5pm, FREE, www.library.manchester.ac.uk
Image: William Blake by Thomas Phillips
- Words:
- John Stansfield
- Published on:
- Thu 7 Feb 2013
