Open 13 January - 25 March 2018 at Petworth, William Blake in Sussex: Visions of Albion offers a rare opportunity to see original works by Blake inspired by the Sussex coast and countryside re-united for the first time.

Avisionofthelastjudgment1808

Avision of the last judgment - 1808

Celebrating Blake’s three years living in Sussex between 1800 and 1803, this unique exhibition features over 50 loans from such prestigious collections as the British Museum, V&A and Tate. These are complemented by works from the Petworth collection acquired by George Wyndham, the 3rd Earl of Egremont and his estranged Countess, Elizabeth Ilive.

Sussex remains the only area outside of London where Blake ever lived, settling with his wife in a cottage in Felpham, which he described as ‘the sweetest spot on Earth’. It is here that Blake saw ‘Visions of Albion’, surrounded by the Sussex coast and countryside that would continue to inspire his work.

This exhibition is the first to re-unite these works and nowhere could be more fitting than Petworth, the only great English country house to hold major paintings by the artist.

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