William Blake's Boyhood Engravings Discovered

Researchers have discovered a series of boyhood doodles on copper plates engraved by William Blake, dating back approximately 250 years, using advanced high-resolution scanning technology at the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford. The engravings, which include motifs such as arrows and a miniature face, were found on the reverse of plates used by Blake during his apprenticeship under engraver James Basire. Expert Mark Crosby noted that these previously unseen doodles reveal insights into Blake's early artistic experiments and suggest he was honing his craft while engaging in playful doodling. The discovery sheds light on the formative years of Blake, who is celebrated for works like 'Jerusalem' and 'The Tyger'. These findings will be further documented in peer-reviewed journals, emphasizing their significance in understanding Blake's development as an artist.