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A professional engraver by trade, William Blake (1757–1827) was one of England’s greatest printmakers. The 29 extraordinary engraved illustrations for the Book of Job and Dante’s Inferno form the basis of this exhibition, which was organized by Curator Kenneth Wayne. The works presented in this installation are perhaps Blake’s best-known and finest achievements. Executed in a progressive style, Blake’s prints are akin to expressionist and surreal images of the 20th century. They also recall the apocalyptic, visionary images of earlier German printmakers such as Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528).

On September 18, 2003, the museum hosted a lecture by Diane Christian, Distinguished Professor, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Her lecture, entitled “Human Form Divine: William Blake’s Nudes in Dante’s Inferno and the Book of Job” argued that Blake’s vision is at once religious and erotic—a modern and new synthesis of the two.

This exhibition was organized by Curator Kenneth Wayne.