WILLIAM BLAKE (1757-1827)
Illustrations to Dante’s Divine Comedy
the complete set of seven engravings, on simili-Japon paper, 1827, each inscribed in pencil ‘a restrike from the copper plate in my collection / August 1968 / Lessing J Rosenwald’, each numbered 3/25, very good, bright impressions, in good condition
Each Plate: 11 x 14 in. (279 x 356 mm.)
Largest Sheet: 14⁵⁄₈ x 18 in. (371 x 457 mm.)

The Complete Graphic Works of William Blake, Bindman, 647-653

Including: The Circle of the Lustful: Paolo and Francesca (B. 647); The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils tormenting Ciampolo (B. 648); The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other (B. 649); The Circle of the Thieves; Agnolo Brunelleschi Attacked by a Six-Footed Serpent (B. 650); The Circle of the Thieves; Buoso Donati Attacked by the Serpent (B. 651); The Circle of the Falsifiers: Dante and Virgil Covering their Noses because of the Stench (B. 652); and The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot striking Bocca degli Abbate (B. 653).

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拍品卖家为： Christie's Inc

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拍品专文

William Blake (1757-1827) produced a set of seven engravings based on Dante's "Divine Comedy" between 1825-1827, distinct from his larger watercolor series produced at the same time. These engravings represent Blake's final major artistic project, commissioned by his friend, the artist John Linnell, but left unfinished at his death.

The seven engravings focus primarily on scenes from "Inferno," including the striking "The Circle of the Lustful" and "The Circle of the Corrupt Officials." In these works, Blake translated his visionary interpretation of Dante into the demanding medium of copper-plate engraving, his masterful linear technique fully expressing the spiritual drama of the text.

Unlike conventional illustrations of the era, Blake's engravings reimagine Dante's cosmology through his unique mythological perspective. His Hell appears as both physical and psychological landscape, with muscular figures arranged in dynamic, swirling compositions.

These engravings showcase Blake's distinctive line work—intricate, precise, yet pulsing with energy. Though few in number, they represent a profound visual dialogue between two visionaries separated by centuries, with Blake transforming Dante's medieval Catholic allegory through his own revolutionary spiritual perspective.

The eldest son of the founder of Sears, Roebuck & Company, Lessing J Rosenwald was one of the greatest benefactors of American museums in the 20th century. He was a founding donor to the National Gallery of Art when it opened in 1941, and his gift of 27,000 prints and drawings forms a cornerstone of the museum. Similarly, his collection of rare books tracing the history of printed text over six centuries remains one of the most significant donations ever made to the Library of Congress. The seven copper plates from which this set was printed formed part of his gift to the NGA upon his death in 1971.

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莫里斯·桑达克：艺术家、收藏家与鉴赏家（网上拍卖）

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状况报告

佳士得专家或会联络阁下，以商讨此拍品，又或于拍品状况于拍卖前有所改变时知会阁下。

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拍品的状况可能存在极大差异，而由于其性质使然，拍品难以处于完美无瑕的状态。拍品均以拍卖时的状况出售。

In addition to the catalogue description, each with margins (the sheet edges very slightly uneven), very occasional foxmarks in places (primarily in the margins), occasional indentations in places in the margins (inherent in the paper), hinge and adhesive remains on the reverse upper sheet corners (with associated pale discoloration, showing through), otherwise in good condition

The Circle of the Lustful: Paolo and Francesca (B. 647)
Image: 9⁵⁄₈ x 13¹⁄₄ in. (244 x 337 mm.)
Sheet: 14¹⁄₈ x 18 in. (359 x 457 mm.)

The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils tormenting Ciampolo (B. 648)
Image: 9¹⁄₂ x 13¹⁄₄ in. (241 x 337 mm.)
Sheet: 14³⁄₈ x 18 in. (365 x 457 mm.)

The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other (B. 649)
Image: 9⁵⁄₈ x 13¹⁄₈ in. (244 x 333 mm.)
Sheet: 14¹⁄₂ x 18¹⁄₈ in. (368 x 460 mm.)

The Circle of the Thieves; Agnolo Brunelleschi Attacked by a Six-Footed Serpent (B. 650): occasional very soft handling creases in places, soft rubbing in places in the upper margin
Image: 9⁵⁄₈ x 13⁵⁄₈ in. (244 x 346 mm.)
Sheet: 14¹⁄₂ x 18¹⁄₈ in. (368 x 460 mm.)

The Circle of the Thieves; Buoso Donati Attacked by the Serpent (B. 651): a soft diagonal crease at the lower right sheet corner (slightly affecting the numbering)
Image: 9⁵⁄₈ x 13¹⁄₈ in. (244 x 333 mm.)
Sheet: 14³⁄₈ x 18 in. (365 x 457 mm.)

The Circle of the Falsifiers: Dante and Virgil Covering their Noses because of the Stench (B. 652): very pale accretions above the lower platemark
Image: 9¹⁄₂ x 13¹⁄₄ in. (241 x 337 mm.)
Sheet: 14⁵⁄₈ x 18 in. (371 x 457 mm.)

The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot striking Bocca degli Abbate (B. 653): a very soft diagonal crease from the left sheet edge extending into the lower left image
Image: 9¹⁄₄ x 13³⁄₈ in. (235 x 340 mm.)
Sheet: 14 x 18 in. (356 x 457 mm.)

Please note this lot consists of seven unframed prints.

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