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Hired to Depress: A Digital Scholarly Edition of William Blake's Annotations to Sir Joshua Reynolds' Discourses

Blake marginalia Contents Page A03

The Foundation of Empire is Art & Science
Remove them or Degrade them & the Empire
is No More -- Empire follows Art
& Not Vice Versa as Englishmen Suppose

Editorial Note:

The phrase “Empire is No More” appears in other works by Blake such as Marriage of Heaven and Hell and America A Prophecy. This sentiment connects to his dismissal of political and religious leaders after the “Age of Rafael."

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Contents of The First Volume

[SPACE ABOVE]
CONTENTS
OF THE FIRST VOLUME

DISCOURSE I.
The advantages proceeding from the Institution of a Royal Academy. — Hints offered to the consideration of the Professors and Visitors ; that an implicit obedience to the Rules of Art be exacted from the Young Students ; that a premature disposition to a masterly dexterity be repressed ; that diligence be constantly recommended, and (that it may be effectual) directed to its proper object. . . . Page 1.

DISCOURSE II.
The course and order of study. — The different stages of Art.— Much copying discountenanced. — The Artist, at all times and in all places, should be employed in laying up materials for the exercise of his art. . . . . . . p.23.
DISCOURSE III.
The great leading principles of the Grand Style.— Of Beauty. — The genuine habits of Nature to be distinguished from those of Fashion. . . . . . . . p. 51.

[SPACE BELOW]

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PIC Content 1 Detail A