Found this rather interesting documentary, made by Melvyn Bragg, who's a decent bloke in my view. If anyone has an interest in Blake this is well worth a watch.
Quote of the Day
If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.
'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell'
- William Blake
O for a voice like thunder, and a tongue
To drown the throat of war!
When the senses
Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,
Who can stand?
When the souls of the oppressèd
Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand?
When the whirlwind of fury comes from the
Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance
Drive the nations together, who can stand?
When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,
And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;
When souls are torn to everlasting fire,
And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain,
O who can stand?
O who hath causèd this?
O who can answer at the throne of God?
The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!
Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!
- William Blake
I must say that he's one of the most inspiring figures I've come across, to combine writing with artwork in such an idiosyncratic way, always staying true to the vision. His use of colour is superb, and his draughtsmanship is exceptional. not to mention his very ahead of his time thoughts on politics, religion and the spiritual.
Q: Another funny thing is that, a few days later we bought this book about the Holy Grail and it talks about dreams of people switching between being black and white, and about birds that represent this concept such as the magpie, the balance between good and evil and so forth.
A: Theme presents itself in balanced cycle. Search for grey middle ground when tempted to choose either black or white.
Q: Anything else on this?
A: No.
Given your enthusiasm for Blake I was wondering if you were aware that it was his namesake (the son of a close friend) that was responsible for the mosaics and some of the windows of St Paul’s Cathedral?