Milton, a poem in 2 books Pl.24
19th century
William Blake treated poetry as a visual spectacle, hand-writing and coloring every line himself to create a unified mystical experience. This page from his epic poem Milton is a dense block of text wrapped in vibrant, psychedelic bands of blue, pink, and green. Strange creatures, including pink worms and a winding snake, slither through the verses which describe a chaotic 'Wine-press' of war and suffering. It is a fascinating glimpse into Blake's unique 'illuminated printing' method, where he refused to separate the written word from the visual art.
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