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St. Matthew
William Blake1799
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
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.
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Details
- Title: St. Matthew
- Creator: William Blake (British, 1757–1827)
- Date Created: 1799
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 38.5 x 26.5 cm (15 3/16 x 10 7/16 in.)
- Provenance: Thomas Butts [1757 - 1845], London, by descent to his son, Thomas Butts, Jr., Thomas Butts, Jr. [died 1862], London, William Michael Rossetti [1829-1919], London, William Bell Scott [1811-1890], consigned to sale at Sotheby's, London, (Sotheby's, London, July 14, 1892, no. 238, sold to Quaritch), (Quaritch, sold to E.H. van Ingen for Mrs. William Emerson), Mrs. William Emerson, consigned to sale at Sotheby's, London, (Sotheby's London, May 19, 1958, no.12, bought by Agnew for Lady Melchett), Lady Melchett [1928-], sold at Christie's, London, (Christie's London, November 9, 1971, no. 71, bought by Piccadilly Gallery), (Piccadilly Gallery, London, sold to Galleria Galatea), (Galleria Galatea, Turin, sold to private collector, Milan), private collector, Milan, (Ben Elwes Fine Art, London, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Type: Painting
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/2017.4
- Medium: tempera on canvas
- Fun Fact: Like St. Matthew, William Blake reported having visions of angels throughout his life.
- Department: European Painting and Sculpture
- Culture: England
- Credit Line: Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
- Collection: P - British before 1800
- Accession Number: 2017.4
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