William Blake was born when England was at war. Conflict and the threat of conflict shaped politics for much of his life. And yet, simultaneously, Albion was booming, materially and with an influx of ideas from its empire. Blake saw Jesus walking amongst these spirited exchanges, quite as much as he discerned the powerful presence of dark Satanic Mills.
His era and ours were times of contraries. And yet, he forged a way of embracing these energies so as to see everything transformed. Further still, he passed on that capacity in his tremendous lines, startling images and divine vision.
This short film, presented by Mark Vernon, shot in Blake’s beloved London, explains the spiritual analysis of the painter, poet and prophet. He gave us the end of a golden string, to wind into a ball and discover heaven’s gate, built in Jerusalem’s wall. The way is much needed now.
The film was recorded in anticipation of the bicentenary of William Blake’s death in 2027. Discover the events that will mark the year!
For more on Mark’s work on Blake, including his book, “Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination” see – https://www. markvernon.com
Presented by Mark Vernon
Filmed by Peter Jones
Edited by Clive Robert Watson
Music by J.S. Bach performed by John Michel, with additional Gregorian Chant