Art, Symbol & Imagination
The Ancient of Days
A bearded figure crouches within a great golden circle and extends one arm towards the darkness below. A pair of compasses opens from the lowered hand while wind sweeps the hair sideways. Known as The Ancient of Days, the image introduces Europe a Prophecy through an act of visionary measurement.
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Citation
William Blake. "The Ancient of Days" [editorial title]. In Europe: A Prophecy, William Blake. Undated supplied digital facsimile, undated edition. Source scan leaf 6. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/gallery-20261108-0273-0001
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
A facsimile reproduction of William Blake’s illuminated book. Lettering and imagery are preserved together where they form a unified plate.
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From the book
Europe: A ProphecyWilliam BlakeUndated editionMore from this book
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Cite this illustration
William Blake. The Ancient of Days. Europe: A Prophecy. Scan leaf 6. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/gallery-20261108-0273-0001