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Arise, O Rintrah! c.1794-95 Plate 8 from Europe: A Prophecy 1794 relief etching, white-line etching and intaglio engraving, printed in relief in blue ink; simultaneous colour-printing (monotype) with opaque pigments; later watercolour, and pen and ink finish (NGV 42) Felton Bequest, 1920 1028-3 National Gallery of Victoria Europe: A Prophecy was the second of Blake's prophetic books written during the years of the French Revolution and soon after Britain had declared war on France. Blake, a fierce republican, opposed the invasion. Although peopled by characters from Blake's personal mythology Europe was clearly written in response to these political events. The old man in this design gestures as if to ward off some threat, presumably war and its attendant catastrophies. |