William Blake: Burning Bright at Yale Center for British Art

The Yale Center for British Art will present William Blake: Burning Bright, an exhibition exploring the visionary art and poetry of William Blake (1757–1827). Known for his radical perspectives on religion, politics, and society during the era of the American and French Revolutions, Blake created highly original illuminated books, watercolors, paintings, and verse. The exhibition highlights the museum’s exceptional holdings, including celebrated works such as Songs of Innocence and of Experience (1789–94) and The First Book of Urizen (1794). Visitors will also see rare and unique pieces, including the only fully hand-colored version of Blake’s epic poem Jerusalem (1804–20) and the one-of-a-kind illustrations for The Poems of Thomas Gray (1797–98).

The display offers insight into Blake’s innovative printing techniques, particularly his method for uniting text and image on a single copper plate, as well as his mastery of engraving and watercolor. Although largely unrecognized during his lifetime, Blake’s powerful imagery and poetic vision now stand among the most celebrated achievements in British art and literature.

William Blake: Burning Bright will be on view from Tuesday, August 26, 2025, through Sunday, November 30, 2025, in the third-floor galleries at the Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel Street, New Haven, Connecticut. Admission is free.