Unraveling the hidden doodles of William Blake

In a remarkable discovery, researchers have discovered never-before-seen doodles engraved on copper plates by the iconic English poet and painter William Blake. Using cutting-edge technology, the etchings, which date back some 250 years, were discovered by experts who identified them as Blake’s earliest experiments.

Blake, known for his poetic contributions such as the unofficial hymn ‘Jerusalem’ and the famous ‘The Tyger’, worked with engraver James Basire in his youth. The finds, with motifs such as arrows and miniature faces, were located on copper plates in the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford, where the artefacts were bequeathed in 1809.

Blake expert Mark Crosby highlighted the importance of these discoveries, offering new perspectives on the artist’s formative years. The prints, often invisible to the naked eye, suggest a young Blake practicing his art while an apprentice in Basire’s studio, offering a rare glimpse into the influential artist’s creative mind.

(With contributions from agencies.)