The Art of William Blake

October 19 – December 1, 1957
Main Floor, Galleries 68, 69, 69A, 70

This exhibition is no longer on view at the National Gallery.

Overview: 160 tempera paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints, and illustrated books were shown from 23 lenders in the United States and England. 4 watercolors came from Windsor Castle. The exhibition was arranged to honor the visit of Queen Elizabeth II and to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of William Blake. Elizabeth Mongan, curator of graphic arts, assembled the exhibition and prepared the catalogue.

The Gallery was closed to the public during the visit of the queen from 9:55 to 11 a.m. on October 18. Trustees, major donors, and executive officers and their spouses were introduced to the queen before her extensive tour of the main floor galleries.

Catalog: The Art of William Blake: Bicentennial Exhibition, by Elizabeth Mongan. Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1957.