Study of the Illuminated Books (1964)
Title
Study of the Illuminated Books (1964)
Original Date:
1964
Publisher:
Trianon Press
Physical Description:
14 plates ; 31 cm.
Background Information:
This study by Geoffrey Keynes, published by the Trianon Press, was intended as a showcase, catalog, and chronology of Blake’s work as well as of the Trianon Press reproductions. It provides commentary and sample plates from Songs of Innocence and of Experience; Visions of the Daughters of Albion; The Marriage of Heaven and Hell; Europe, a Prophecy; America, a Prophecy; The Book of Urizen; Milton; and Jerusalem. Commentary by Keynes, a Blake scholar, was also featured in many of Trianon’s reproductions of individual works by Blake. Union College has a limited edition of this work in the library’s Special Collections, donated by Hans Rozendaal. A commercial edition, published in cooperation with The Orion Press, is also in the library’s collections. Not available in this form at the William Blake Archive; consult the book in the library for more information.
Student Commentary:
Overview: In this study, Trianon Press chose to emphasize though its subtitle that Blake was a “Poet, Printer & Prophet.” The choice of “prophet” as a way to describe Blake is particularly interesting. “Poet” and “printer” are factual terms; the choice of “prophet,” which echoes Blake’s own terminology for several of his works, is a reminder of Blake’s deep and complex relationship with God and religion, especially in his illuminated series. - Caitlin Williams '18