The Paintings and Drawings of William Blake. Text Volume

New Haven: Published for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art by Yale University Press, 1981. First Edition (presumed; no prior editions or printings cited). Volume one only (of two. Folio in brushed green cloth and color illus jacket; 608p; 30 cm; bibliographical references; indexes. 12 x 8.5 x 2 inches. Near fine with wee bit of damp-rippling to bottom edge of last 2-3 pages as well as jacket; else fine in near fine slightly sun-faded jacket in archival mylar. Hardcover. ISBN:

Extra postage may be required. Please inquire. Weighs 5 lbs 6 ounces before packing. A heavy and large item. 12 x 8.5 x 2 inches.

Contents: [1] Text. Introduction; Key to abbreviations; Exhibitions; Literature; The catalogue. 1-50: Blake's apprenticeship: Westminster Abbey, 1772-1779; 51-70: Illustrations to English history, c. 1779 and c. 1793; 71-183: Miscellaneous early works, mainly in pen and wash, c. 1775-1790; 184-197: War, a breach in a city, and related subjects, c. 1779-1805; 198-200: Tiriel, c. 1789; 201-214: Blake's notebook, The gates of paradise and related drawings, c. 1785- 1805; 215-243: A drawings for the earlier illuminated books and other similar sketches, c. 1789-1795; 244-259: Illustrations to Mary Wollstonecraft and Shakespeare, and other works, c. 1790-1795; 260-288: Separate designs from the illuminated books, etc., c. 1794-1796; 289-329: The large colour prints, c. 1795; 330-337: The great book illustrations, c. 1795-1807; 338-342: Miscellaneous designs, c. 1795-1800; 343-375: Works done at the instigation of William Hayley, c. 1800-1805; 376-526: Illustrations to the Bible painted for Thomas Butts, c. 1799-1809; 527-546: Illustrations to Milton's poems, c. 1801-1820; 547-549: Illustrations to Shakespeare, c. 1806-1825; 550-559: Illustrations to the Book of Job, c. 1805-1826; 560-579: Drawings and separate designs related to Milton and Jerusalem, c. 1804-1820; 580-608: Miscellaneous drawings, c. 1805-1820; 609-638: Illustrations to Robert Blair's The grave, c. 1805-1807; 639-648: The last judgment, 1806-1827; 649-666: Blake's exhibition, 1809; 667-682: Tempera paintings and other works, c. 1810-1825; 683-691: Portrait drawings, c. 1800-1825; 692-768: The 'visionary heads', c. 1819-1825; 769-802A: Late drawings and watercolours, c. 1820-1827; 803-811: Late paintings in tempera, c. 1821-1826; 812-826: Illustrations to Dante's Divine comedy, 1824-1827; 827-834: Last works: illustrations to the Book of Enoch, Genesis and The Pilgrim's progress, c. 1824-1827; 835-882: Miscellaneous untraced works; RI-RII: Drawings attributed to Robert Blake, 1767-1787; C1-C3: Works attributed to Catherine Blake, 1762-1831-

"Here in two beautifully produced volumes [volume one only offered] is the first complete catalogue of the paintings, watercolors, drawings, and color prints of one of the English-speaking world's greatest and most widely studied artists. Also included are works attributed to William's brother Robert and his wife Catherine. The culmination of over twenty years of research, these volumes are packed with new information and identifications. Martin Butlin has divided the catalogue into sections corresponding to phases in Blake's artistic career and has considered groups of related works together. For each entry there is full information on size, medium and techniques, date history, and other pertinent data. Where appropriate, there is also a discussion of the relationship of the work to Blake's thought and writings and an explanation of its symbolism and significance. Every traceable work is reproduced (with the exception of a few series that have been fully published elsewhere) and a large proportion of them are in colour. This monumental study will become a standard and indispensable work of reference for anyone interested in William Blake's art or poetry."—Publisher

Drawing, English -- 19th century -- Catalogs. Painters -- Great Britain -- 18th century -- Catalogs. Painters -- Great Britain -- 19th century -- Catalogs. Illustrators -- Great Britain -- 18th century -- Catalogs. Illustrators -- Great Britain -- 19th century -- Catalogs. Named Person: Blake, William, 1757-1827 -- Exhibitions. Blake, William, 1757-1827. Blake, William, 1757-1827. Blake, William, 1757-1827 -- Catalogs. Blake, William, (1757-1827) -- Catalogues raisonnés. Blake, William, (1757-1827) -- Oeuvres -- Arts graphiques. Exhibition catalogs. Exhibition catalogs. Catalogues d'exposition.