The Ancient of Days
William Blake · 1794
Why it's great
A white-bearded figure leans out of a glowing orb in the sky, stretching down a giant pair of compasses to measure and create the world. Blake made this as a print and painted it by hand, and he reportedly worked on it near the end of his life. It shows God as a great designer, but also a bit scary. It's one of the most famous images of creation in art.
Where to see it
📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.
Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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.
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.
