BIB_ID
157419
Accession number
MA 3704
Creator
Blake, William, 1757-1827.
Display Date
1801 October 19.
Credit line
Gift of Alice Bemis Thompson in memory of Alice Bemis Taylor, 1971.
Description
1 item (1 page, with address) ; 22.7 x 18.3 cm
Notes
The place of writing has been inferred from the contents of the letter.
Address panel with postmarks: "Mr Flaxman Sculptor / Buckingham Street / Fitzroy Square / London."
With a postscript in the hand of William Hayley, and Hayley's wax seal (showing an owl).
Address panel with postmarks: "Mr Flaxman Sculptor / Buckingham Street / Fitzroy Square / London."
With a postscript in the hand of William Hayley, and Hayley's wax seal (showing an owl).
Provenance
Formerly in the collection of William Harris Arnold, sold at the Andersen Galleries, New York, 1924 (lot 53). Formerly deposited in the Alice Bemis Taylor Collection, Taylor Museum of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Centre, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Given to the Morgan Librart by Alice Bemis Thompson in memory of her aunt Alice Bemis Taylor in 1971.
Summary
Congratulating Flaxman on the completion of a "Great Work"; referring to the peace negotiations between England and France: "Peace opens the way to greater still. The Kingdoms of this World are now become the Kingdoms of God & his Christ & we shall reign with him for ever & ever. The Reign of Literature & the Arts Commences. Blessed are those who are found studious of Literature & Humane & polite accomplishments. Such have their lamps burning & such shall shine as the stars"; mentioning that [Reverend Joseph] Thomas called on him in Felpham and that Blake promised him that he would send his designs for Comus, when they are completed, direct to Flaxman; writing of his hopes for the peace: "Now I hope to see the Great Works of Art, as they are so near to Felpham, Paris being scarce further off than London. But I hope that France & England will henceforth be as One Country and their Arts One, & that you will Ere long be erecting Monuments in Paris--Emblems of Peace."
Catalog link
Department