DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31843#0107
CATALOGUE OF BLAKE'S ENGRAVED DESIGNS
171. Frontispiece.
A youthful figure, seated on a rock, with both hands extended to
the right. Trees behind. The voice of one crying in the wilderness.
ifx i| in.
Perhaps suggested by an Italian picture of the youthful John the
Baptist.
172. The Argument.
Text, As the true method of knowledge is experiment the true faculty
of knowing must be the faculty which experiences. Below, a figure lying
full-length, head on hand.
ifx ij in.
173. Principle 1.
A bearded old man resting both arms on cloud. (The same design
as Urizen in America, Plate 8.) Below, That the Poetic Genius is the
true Man, and that the body or outward form of Man is derived from the
Poetic Genius. Likewise that the forms of all things are derived from
their Genius, which by the Ancients was called an Angel & Spirit &
Demon.
23-X i| in.
174. Principle 2.
A tree springs up at the left and branches across the page above
the text. Sheep below, and above two nude figures reclining and
looking up. Text, As all men are alike in outward form so (and with the
same infinite variety) all are alike in the Poetic Genius.
2 X i§ in.
175. Principle 3.
Two old men seated writing and reading. Sinuous lines of decora-
tions about the text. No man can think write or speak from his heart
but he must intend truth. Thus all sects of Philosophy are from the
Poetic Genius adapted to the weaknesses of every individual.
2|Xi§ in.
176. Principle 4.
A traveller moving right, staff in hand. Text below, As none by
traveling over known lands can find out the unknown. So from already
acquired knowledge Man could not acquire more—therefore an universal
Poetic Genius exists.
2 X i§ in.
87
171. Frontispiece.
A youthful figure, seated on a rock, with both hands extended to
the right. Trees behind. The voice of one crying in the wilderness.
ifx i| in.
Perhaps suggested by an Italian picture of the youthful John the
Baptist.
172. The Argument.
Text, As the true method of knowledge is experiment the true faculty
of knowing must be the faculty which experiences. Below, a figure lying
full-length, head on hand.
ifx ij in.
173. Principle 1.
A bearded old man resting both arms on cloud. (The same design
as Urizen in America, Plate 8.) Below, That the Poetic Genius is the
true Man, and that the body or outward form of Man is derived from the
Poetic Genius. Likewise that the forms of all things are derived from
their Genius, which by the Ancients was called an Angel & Spirit &
Demon.
23-X i| in.
174. Principle 2.
A tree springs up at the left and branches across the page above
the text. Sheep below, and above two nude figures reclining and
looking up. Text, As all men are alike in outward form so (and with the
same infinite variety) all are alike in the Poetic Genius.
2 X i§ in.
175. Principle 3.
Two old men seated writing and reading. Sinuous lines of decora-
tions about the text. No man can think write or speak from his heart
but he must intend truth. Thus all sects of Philosophy are from the
Poetic Genius adapted to the weaknesses of every individual.
2|Xi§ in.
176. Principle 4.
A traveller moving right, staff in hand. Text below, As none by
traveling over known lands can find out the unknown. So from already
acquired knowledge Man could not acquire more—therefore an universal
Poetic Genius exists.
2 X i§ in.
87