Newton

Why it's great

The scientist Isaac Newton sits on a rock at the bottom of the sea, absorbed in drawing a diagram with a compass. Blake used him as a symbol of cold logic, though he also admired him. The colors are strange and glowing. It's one of the most famous images of a scientist.

🏛️ Part of history

The Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment (1600–1789) — William Blake shows Isaac Newton measuring the universe with compasses, which he thought was both brilliant and too narrow.

Where to see it

📍 Tate BritainLondon, United Kingdom

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Hang it on your wall

⬇ Hi-res download 4,702 × 3,617 px · 17.0 megapixels · prints up to about 16 × 12 inches at 300 dpi File page & license ↗

Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:

💵 Budget Etsy ↗ Posters and simple prints from small sellers, usually the lowest prices. 🖼️ Mid-range Fine Art America ↗ Good printing on paper, canvas or metal, made to order, with framing options. 🏛️ High-end Meisterdrucke ↗ Museum-grade giclée prints on archival paper or canvas, the closest to the real thing.

These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.

About the artist

William Blake

1757–1827 · born in London

William Blake was born in London and lived there nearly his entire life. He was a poet, painter and printmaker who claimed to see angels and visions, and he created magical books mixing words and pictures. Few people understood him while he lived, and he was poor. Today he's honored as one of the greatest imaginations in British art and literature.