The Ancient of Days, by William Blake The picture seems to portray a
wise and benevolent man studying the universe, as its popular title suggests. In
so far as William Balke is concerned, the 'man' and the 'studying' may be true,
but the 'wise' and 'benevolent' not. Blake was a mysticist, who considered the
studying of the world, at least when done in rational terms, as a vice of man.
Its popular title isn't one given by Blake, and more suitable is the one given
in the "alt" text of the logo: He Who Shall Bind (limit) The Infinite, from
Blake's accompanying poem. The picture has been used as a logo for this site, purely on its esthetical
merits, and not as a symbol for the opinions of the artist. Or in more popular
terms: one does not have to be a military person to like march music. Go to General list here , all articles here , site home here . |