Decoding the Great Code of Art: Studies on Blake’s Composite Art

Umpteen critical studies have been produced about the mystifying works of the highly eclectic and unique genius William Blake. None of them has devoted complete attention to the singular devotion and allegiance to the Bible which Blake practiced meticulously during his whole life and works, either in poetry illumination or paintings. The present study approaches the whole of Blake's poetry and paintings with a triadic attempt at viewing the text and picture in the light of Blake's attempts at decoding the Bible. Moreover, of all the 92 pictures by Blake and various other artists included for discussion here, the special discussion of 22 exquisite paintings by William Blake on the most important OT and NT themes, proves that there are no signs of Blake creating an 'Inverse Bible of the Hell', just as the findings in the discussion of other works by Blake assert. The study also sheds ample light on how English Literature has been nourished by the Ut Pictura Poesis or Sister Arts Tradition and the Bible-decoding Tradition.