Illustration with figures and a large book titled "Night the Second on Time, Death, and Friendship," featuring an elderly man and two smaller figures.

Night the Second

€350

Illustration with figures and a large book titled "Night the Second on Time, Death, and Friendship," featuring an elderly man and two smaller figures.

William Blake

Night the Second

€350

Limited edition

Edition of 100

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Drawn from the extraordinary collection of Sir John Soane's Museum, London, this new limited edition print revives a rare book illustration by the forefather of British Romanticism, William Blake.

Night the Second is part of a triptych of limited edition prints based on Blake's illustrated title pages for Edward Young's celebrated 18th-century poem, The Complaint, and the Consolation. While he created over 500 watercolour designs for the project, only 43 were engraved for the 1797 edition. Now, just 28 hand-coloured copies are known to exist, including a copy held at Sir John Soane's Museum. These detailed pieces are considered defining masterpieces of Blake's early work.

Each edition is authenticated with a debossed Museum stamp and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Will Gompertz, Deborah Loeb Brice Director, Sir John Soane’s Museum.

By collecting this work, supporters directly contribute to Sir John Soane's Museum – the architect's former London home, where his collection remains displayed exactly as he left it on his death in 1837.

I am delighted that Sir John Soane’s Museum is collaborating with Avant Arte on making these exquisite William Blake images available. The care and craft the team have applied in producing the three gorgeous prints has been incredible - as are the results!

Will Gompertz, Deborah Loeb Brice Director, Sir John Soane’s Museum

Go behind the scenes

Our master printmaker Tom Murphy discusses our debut collaboration with Sir John Soane's Museum, which revives a rare series of book illustrations by William Blake.
Mythological scene with an elderly bearded man wearing a flower crown, surrounded by two figures in colourful drapery, holding hands.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

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  • so surprised from the extreme professiomality and packimg

  • we appreciate the care taken in transport. Our piece was unframed but we appreciated how the packaging was done to protect it and also extras like the information on the art and the tote bag. We love the art work.

  • Excellent experience from start to finish.

  • Fantastic work, fantastic customer experience

  • Excellent on every level - buying experience, communication, framing and packaging by (which was exceptional) and of course, the actual artwork - it is stunning in real life - really delighted.