The Triumphs of Temper

Art Historical Context

**The Triumphs of Temper** (1803) is a captivating bound volume that blends poetry and visual art, authored by the English writer and patron William Hayley. The book features six exquisite etchings with engraving on wove paper, executed visionary artist William Blake after designs by Mary Ann Flaxman, sister of thelassical sculptor John Flaxman. Measuring a compact 23.5 × 14.5 × 2 cm, this elegantly proportioned volume (pages 22.9 × 13.2 cm) invites intimate exploration, reflecting the intimate scale of early 19th-century illustrated books. Created during the Romantic era, the work stems from Hayley’s patronage of Blake, a pivotal relationship that supported the artist amid financial struggles. Hayley’s poem celebrates the virtues of temperance through allegorical triumphs, brought to life by Flaxman’s graceful designs and Blake’s masterful etching and engraving techniques. These methods allowed for fine lines and tonal depth on smooth wove paper—a modern innovation ideal for detailed reproductive prints—showcasing Blake’s skill in translating neoclassical poise into his distinctive, imaginative style. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s CG-E department (gift of Lincoln Kirstein), this volume highlights the collaborative spirit of British Romanticism, where literature, design, and printmaking converged to moralize and enchant. A testament to overlooked women artists like Flaxman, it offers visitors a window into the era’s fusion of word and image.