Paintings
St. Matthew
Permanent ExhibitionPaintingReligious Art
Details
- Author / creator
- William Blake (British, 1757–1827)
- Object type
- Painting
- Date or period
- 1799
- Dimensions summary
- Overall: 38.5 × 26.5 cm
- Support
- Canvas
- Paint medium
- Tempera
- Place of origin
- England
- Acquisition method
- Purchase
- Credit line
- Purchased with the National Heritage Memorial Fund, 2017
- Image rights
- Public domain (CC0)
About this object
The energy and awe with which the evangelist Saint Matthew responds to the angel presenting the divinely inspired text echoes William Blake’s attitude toward artistic inspiration. From childhood Blake experienced visions that are reflected in the otherworldliness of his work. While Blake was not embraced by the fine art establishment, a small group of patrons believed in his genius and commissioned works in which his unusual visions had free rein.
Materials and technique
Tempera on canvas
