Death on a Pale Horse | William Blake | 1800

"Death on a Pale Horse," painted by William Blake around 1800, is a dramatic and powerful representation of one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as described in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. This painting captures the terrifying and inevitable force of death, which is depicted as an armored, kingly figure riding a pale horse, a symbol of death and pestilence. The rider, with a flowing beard and crowned head, wields a large sword, symbolizing the destruction and the finality of death. The horse he rides is dynamic, rearing up, its eyes wide with the intensity of the scene. Below the horse, a grotesque figure with a beast-like appearance seems to be dragged along, perhaps representing the chaos and suffering that accompany death.

Above the rider, a celestial figure unfurls a scroll, likely symbolizing the divine decree or the prophecy being fulfilled. The use of swirling lines and contrasting light and dark tones adds to the painting's sense of movement and foreboding, typical of Blake's unique, visionary style. Blake’s work often blends the real with the mystical, and this painting is no exception. It evokes a sense of dread and awe, capturing the unstoppable nature of death as foretold in apocalyptic literature. The overall composition and use of color emphasize the dramatic, almost surreal quality of the scene, making it a powerful example of Blake's imaginative approach to biblical themes.

Print:

A premium quality heavyweight (200gsm) fine art print material with a smooth, clean finish. This museum quality paper is extremely consistent and works perfectly with large, full colour graphics or illustrations. The matte finish emphasizes different highlights and tones in the source artworks; helping to create stunning works of art.

- All prints include a .25 inch white border to ensure space for framing. 

Our Eco Credentials Include:

• FSC approved or sustainably sourced paper
• Printed using water based inks
• Local fulfilment reduces carbon emissions
• Contains no plastic

Sizes:

12’’ x 16’’ Inches = 30.5 cm x 40.6 cm 

18’’ x 24’’ Inches = 45.7 cm x 61 cm

24 x 32 Inches = 61 cm x 81.3 cm