The Man who Built the Pyramids c1825 Linnell after Blake contrast, William Blake

After william blake the man who built the pyramids (after william blake) c1825 replica attributed to john linnell contrast increased artist: attributed to john linnell (1792‑1882) title the man who built the pyramids (after william blake) datec. 1825 mediumgraphite on paper dimensionssupport: 298 x 214 mm collection tate acquisitionbequeathed by miss alice g. E. Carthew 1940 reference n05185 not on display. Display caption linnell made a number of replicas of blake's 'visionary heads'. Apparently he intended to engrave them for varley's projected four-part 'treatise on zodiacal physiognomy'. In fact only one part of the treatise was ever published, in 1828. However the inscription on this drawing, '15 degrees of cancer ascending', may well indicate that it was intended as one of the engraved plates in that work. As well as the main figure, the sheet contains a drawing of the architect's mouth open instead of shut (as in 'the head of a ghost of a flea'), a sketch of the 'egyptian' interior in which blake saw him in his vision, and an architect's portfolio inscribed with hieroglyphics.