Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

"If angels tremble"

After William Blake
1757-1827

"If angels tremble"

14 1/4 x 12 5/8 inches (363 x 319 mm)
Black chalk and graphite, on tracing paper mounted on card.
1980.79:15

Gift of Mr. Herman Cohen.

Notes
Copy on tracing paper by an unknown copyist of a design by William Blake to illustrate Edward Young's Night thoughts.
Inscriptions/Markings
Inscribed slightly to left of center in pencil: a Christian is the highest style of man / and is there who the blessed cross wipes off / as a foul blot from his dishonest brow / if angels tremble, it is at such a sight.
Summary

Design shows a male figure lying on the ground at left, one hand held to his brow and the other raised in a gesture of alarm; behind him at right, two female figures stand together, one with hands held up with palms outwards and an expression of distress on her face as the other burys her face in her hands.

Associated names
Cohen, Herman, former owner.
Young, Edward, 1683-1765. Night thoughts.
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Department