Kathleen Raine offers an insightful exploration of William Blake's complex philosophy and art, drawing on her extensive research over four decades. In Golgonooza, City of Imagination, she presents seven studies that delve into Blake's symbolic themes, providing readers with a profound understanding of his imaginative vision. Recognized as a leading interpreter of Blake, Raine serves as a knowledgeable guide, illuminating the intricacies of Blake's work and inviting readers to appreciate the depth of his contributions to the Romantic Age.
Prophet, poet, painter, engraver - William Blake (1757-1827) was an artist of uniquely powerful imagination and far-reaching creative gifts. His work expresses the spiritual drama of the English national being, integrating poetry and visual art in a sustained work of visionary creativity unparalleled in English art history. Revealing Blake to be far more than a revolutionary social radical, this classic study reshapes our understanding of the artist's achievement. Kathleen Raine details the enriching effect of mystical, alchemical and gnostic philosophy on Blake's art. She unravels the complex, deeply felt symbolism expressed in his paintings and prints, and describes the powerful impact of his reading of Dante, Milton and the Bible. Raine's compelling text guides the reader through the life and thought of this extraordinary artist. Fully alive to the uniqueness of Blake's art - which has 'a reality, a coherence, a climate' all its own - she introduces famous work such as Jerusalem, Songs of Innocence and of Experience, The Four Zoas and The Book of Job, relating them to Blake's world view and explaining their prophetic qualities, their fierce energy, and their central place in British Romantic art
The classic book on William Blake as prophet of the New Age William Blake (1757–1827) inhabited a remarkable inner world, one that he brought vividly to life in his poetry, painting, and printmaking. Blake and Antiquity situates this brilliant and enigmatic artist within the Western esoteric canon, revealing his indebtedness to Neoplatonism, the Gnostics, alchemy, and astrology. In this book, Kathleen Raine demonstrates how Blake rejected conventional orthodoxy and went in search among the occult traditions of antiquity for symbols that might expand the mind’s awareness into a spiritual state where space, time, and even death are transcended.
In compiling her Collected Poems, Kathleen Raine was uniquely placed to look
back on more than six decades of her poetry and to decide the canon by which
she wished to be judged and remembered.
Prophet, poet, painter and engraver -- Blake's uniqueness lies in no single achievement, but in the whole of what he was, which is more than the sum of all that he did. So writes Kathleen Raine in this classic study of William Blake, a man for whom the arts were not an end in themselves, but expressed his vision of the spiritual drama of the English national being. Profusely illustrated, this volume presents a comprehensive view of Blake's artistic achievements and a compelling and moving portrait of the life and thought of an extraordinary genius.
The essays delve deeply into the human experience, aiming to resonate with the soul rather than serve as mere academic commentary. They prioritize personal reflection and emotional engagement over scholarly analysis, inviting readers to explore profound themes and insights that transcend traditional literary discussions. Brian Keeble's introduction emphasizes the essays' unique approach, encouraging a connection that goes beyond the surface of literary critique.
Exploring the inner journey of a prominent twentieth-century literary figure, this autobiography reveals Kathleen Raine's experiences and relationships with notable writers and artists of her time. Through her reflections, readers gain insight into her life as a poet, scholar, and editor, highlighting her significant contributions to literature and the arts. This work serves as both a personal narrative and a testament to her enduring influence in the literary world.
