William Blake (born 1757) was a visual artist from London. He studied art at the drawing academy of Henry Pars and served a 5-year apprenticeship under the commercial engraver James Basire. At the age of 22, he joined the Royal Academy School as an engraver. However, this conventional training was frustrated when he began private studies of medieval and Renaissance art. Blake was influenced by artists such as Michelangelo, Durer, and Raphael into producing “Gothic” art that he created with poetic genius and infused with Christian spirituality. Blake believed that the Bible comprised the basis of true art, and was the greatest work of poetry ever written.
In 1782, Blake fell in love and married an impoverished grocer's daughter called Catherine Boucher. Catherine would become his studio assistant. Later on, Blake discovered a unique method of "relief etching" which he could use to create single, raised printing surface for both text and image. This technique allowed Blake to control all aspects of book production. After composing the verses, he would design the illustrations, print the plates, color each sheet by hand, and bind the pages together in covers. Blake continued with his experimentations and he came up with a series of large color prints notable for their iconic designs and massive size. He described his method as "fresco." The technique looks more or less like a form of monotype: using tempera and oil paints mixed with chalks, he painted his designs onto flat surfaces. He finished the designs in watercolor and ink, making each impression unique. Today, Framed William Blake art comprise some of his most ambitious work as a visual artist.