Milton, a poem in 2 books

The visionary English poet and artist William Blake explored the relationship between text and image in his illustrated works. The volume’s exquisite illustrations and vibrant coloring, which seem to flow from and wrap around the text itself, become yet another element to be read. The overall effect is at once dramatic and sublime, highlighting intense religious themes of the verse while guiding readers’ eyes across the page. Blake printed Milton, along with his other books, using an uncommon relief-etching process. He also hand-colored the volumes, so each of the four known copies of Milton is distinct. Esteemed for their rarity and beauty, Blake’s creations are also regarded as important milestones in the history of printing, being forebears of modern-day private press and artists’ book productions.