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.

Frame:

Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age.

All framed prints feature our premium fine art paper. This is a museum-quality paper which reproduces photography and artworks with exceptional tonality and renders sharp details with consistent flatness and accuracy.

Print: 

For the matted / mounted prints we use a thick 1.4mm window mount cut from premium, textured mountboard. All mounts are "conservation grade", FSC certified, 100% acid free, and will not discolour or fade with age.

• Simple, elegant design
• Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface
• Handmade by specialist picture framers
• FSC certified off-white mat / window mount
• Delivered ready for hanging