The Descent of Man into the Vale of Death, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair

Q: When was "The Descent of Man into the Vale of Death, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair" created?

This artwork was created March 1, 1813.

Q: Is "The Descent of Man into the Vale of Death, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair" in the public domain?

Yes, The Descent of Man into the Vale of Death, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Rudolph Ackermann, London|William Blake|Robert Blair|Luigi Schiavonetti

March 1, 1813

The Descent of Man into the Vale of Death, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair by Rudolph Ackermann, London|William Blake|Robert Blair|Luigi Schiavonetti

Medium

Engraving

Dimensions

plate: 9 1/2 x 5 5/16 in. (24.1 x 13.5 cm) sheet: 10 13/16 x 6 1/4 in. (27.5 x 15.9 cm)

Classification

Prints

Department

Drawings and Prints

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917

Accession Number

17.3.2396

Tags

ChildrenMenWomen

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Descent of Man into Vale of Death*, a poignant engraving from William Blake illustrations for Robert Blair's 174 poem *The Grave*. Created in collaboration with engraver Luigi Schiavonetti and publisher Rudolph Ackermann London, this 1813 plate captures Blake's visionary interpretation of mortality's inexorable pull. Blair's meditative "graveyard" poem reflects on death and the afterlife, inspiring Blake's dramatic watercolors, which Schiavonetti masterfully translated into intricate engravings for wider dissemination. Printed on a modest plate (9 1/2 x 5 5/16 inches), the work ex...

The Descent of Man into the Vale of Death, from "The Grave," a Poem by Robert Blair

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