Satan in his Original Glory: 'Thou wast Perfect til Iniquity was Found in Thee'
William Blake, c. 1805

The King of Tyre is shown in youthful beauty, with six multi-coloured wings and jewelled mantle, flying above the stars and planets. He wears a crown, and carries the orb and sceptre. Many tiny figures float around him with scrolls and trumpets. This watercolour is part of a collection of works by William Blake belonging to the late Graham Robertson and was included in his sale at Christie's in 1949. Graham Robertson, painter, author and theatrical designer, was widely known as a Blake collector. At his death in 1948 he bequeathed 4 Blakes to the Nation; the rest of the collection was to be disposed of by auction. He had, however, left a very considerable estate to be given to charities. This allowed his Executors to instruct the auctioneers that some of the drawings should be acquired for certain museums up to defined limits. In this way 20 works, totalling £40,281 were given by the Executors, through the Art Fund, to 6 public collections.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Satan in his Original Glory: 'Thou wast Perfect til Iniquity was Found in Thee', c. 1805
Date supported
1949
Medium and material
Pen and ink and watercolour on paper
Dimensions
42 x 34 cm
Gifted by
Executors of W. Graham Robertson
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