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Reviews

Vol. 49 no. 3: Winter 2015–16

Colin Trodd, Visions of Blake: William Blake in the Art World 1830–1930

  • Sibylle Erle
DOI
https://doi.org/10.47761/biq.161
Submitted
8 January 2016
Published
08 Jan. 2016

Abstract

Why does William Blake present such a “dazzling presence, perfect temperament and complete plenary subject” (3)? The answer, according to Colin Trodd, lies with the Victorians and their efforts to explain Blake’s place in British art. Visions of Blake: William Blake in the Art World 1830–1930 addresses the reception of Blake’s art and the refashioning of his personality and artwork through Victorian art criticism. Although occasionally a little too densely detailed, this wonderful book is a long overdue addition; it not only fills a gap in the existing works on Blake’s art, but is also an important milestone in the recent interest taken in Blake’s literary reception.