The Four and Twenty Elders Casting their Crowns before the Diving Throne
William Blake, c. 1803–1805

The vision of the Revelation is portrayed. God sits on a throne, a scroll with seven seals in his right hand. Before him are the Lamb and seven lamps (angelic heads with flames). The Elders cast down their crowns. The four Beasts are also shown. 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
The Four and Twenty Elders Casting their Crowns before the Diving Throne, c. 1803–1805
Date supported
1949
Medium and material
Watercolour
Dimensions
35 x 28 cm
Gifted by
Executors of W. Graham Robertson
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