#05876 William Blake

The composition presents a layered visual narrative contained within a circular frame, set against a stark black background that emphasizes its symbolic nature. The upper portion depicts a celestial scene populated by figures seemingly engaged in observation or lamentation. A central male figure, rendered with flowing hair and beard, reclines amidst a starry expanse, flanked by two winged beings – likely angelic representations – who appear to be looking down upon the events unfolding below. Below this elevated plane are three smaller, seated figures, their faces etched with expressions of sorrow or distress. Their posture suggests vulnerability and passive reception of whatever is occurring in the lower register.
The lower half of the image introduces a bestial realm. A large, pinkish-red elephant dominates the space, its trunk bent downwards as if engaged in an act of consumption or investigation. The animal’s features are exaggerated, lending it a somewhat grotesque quality. Beneath the elephant, a serpentine creature coils within what appears to be water, its scales rendered in fiery hues of red and orange. This lower register is enveloped by swirling cloud formations that contribute to a sense of dynamism and instability.
The arrangement suggests a hierarchical structure: the celestial realm observes the terrestrial, which in turn interacts with an underworld or primal force. The elephant’s interaction with the serpent implies a complex relationship – perhaps one of dependence, predation, or even symbiotic existence. The sorrowful expressions of the figures above could indicate empathy for the suffering depicted below, or perhaps a sense of foreboding regarding the consequences of the actions taking place within the circular space.
The use of color is significant. The cool blues and whites of the upper register contrast sharply with the warmer tones of the lower realm, further emphasizing the separation between these symbolic spaces. The stark black background serves to isolate the scene, intensifying its allegorical weight and inviting contemplation on themes of suffering, observation, and the interconnectedness of different realms of existence.