Yale Center for British Art

Creator:
William Blake, 1757–1827, British

Text by Thomas Gray, 1716–1771, British
Title:
"And purple tyrants vainly groan..." (Design 37)
Date:
between 1797 and 1798
Materials & Techniques:
Watercolor with pen and black ink and graphite on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper with inlaid letterpress page
Dimensions:
Sheet: 16 1/2 x 12 3/4 inches (41.9 x 32.4 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Inscribed in gray ink upper right: "3"; in graphite center: "x"; on verso in black ink upper left: "4"; in graphite upper center; "+"
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1992.8.11(19)
Classification:
Drawings & Watercolors
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
correctional institution | robe | shackles | pen | compass | nudes | book | prison | jail | text | crowns (costume components) | chains | cell | stones | wall | boy | tears | women | man | men | writing (processes) | moustache | king (person) | literary theme
Currently On View:
Not on view
Exhibition History:
Captive Bodies: British Prisons, 1750-1900 (Yale Center for British Art, 2018-08-27 - 2018-12-17)
Publications:
Colin Cross, Blake revealed, William Blake : Discovery of a Masterwork , Observer, vol. 12, November 21, 1971, pp. 19-23, V 1245 Detached from Observer colour magazine

Arnold Fawcus, Unknown Watercolours by William Blake, Illustrated London News, vol. 259, No. 6881, December 25, 1971, pp. 45-46, 49-51, Illustrated London News Historical Archive
Link:
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:3625