Curatorial Notes
The energy and awe with which the evangelist Saint Matthew responds to the angel presenting the divinely inspired text echoes William Blake’s attitude toward artistic inspiration. From childhood Blake experienced visions that are reflected in the otherworldliness of his work. While Blake was not embraced by the fine art establishment, a small group of patrons believed in his genius and commissioned works in which his unusual visions had free rein.
Artwork Identification
Title St. Matthew
Title (PT) São Mateus
Title (ES) San Mateo
Artist William Blake
Artist Bio William Blake (British, 1757–1827)
Date 1799
Work Type Painting
Location & Collection
Institution Cleveland Museum of Art
Source View Museum Page
License Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
