The Man Who Taught Blake Painting in his Dreams after William Blake c1825 attributed to Linnell contrast, John Linnell

After william blake the man who taught blake painting in his dreams (after william blake) c1825 replica attributed to john linnell contrast increased artist: attributed to john linnell (1792‑1882) title the man who taught blake painting in his dreams (after william blake) datec. 1825 mediumgraphite on paper dimensionssupport: 260 x 206 mm collection tate acquisitionbequeathed by miss alice g. E. Carthew 1940 reference n05186 view this artwork by appointment, at tate britain's prints and drawings rooms. Display caption this is a replica of one of blake's drawings of figures that appeared to him in visions. It has also been proposed that blake's image might be a 'visionary self-portrait', showing the artist himself at the moment of the inspiration. The strange form on the forehead may represent flames of inspiration. This idea of inspiration, particularly divine inspiration, is central to the romantic imagination that herbert read saw as the ancestor of surrealism. It also anticipates the surrealists' interest in dream imagery.