Lunchtime lecture: William Blake, a life of innocence and experience
Explore the art of William Blake from a political perspective, looking at his social and cultural context as a working-class artist working in a rapidly changing world.
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- Start Date: 10 Dec 2025End Date: 10 Dec 2025Wed (Daytime): 13:00 - 14:00OnlineFull fee £14.00 Senior fee £11.00 Concession £9.00
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What is the course about?
William Blake was a revolutionary artist whose working-class background informed his perspectives on contemporary social theory. Blake had complex understanding of how the world shapes us, how some must accept it while others might rail against it.
This talk will provide a biographical background on William Blake and his partner Catherine (who was an integral part of his art and life). We’ll look at how Blake was a product of his time, late 18th century London. It will explore how he was influenced by the early feminist writings of Mary Wollstonecraft, the sociology Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the Non-Conformist philosophy of Reverend Richard Price. And, it will look at why he was critical of the Enlightenment.
Although Blake is best known for his poetry, this talk will emphasise his art and how it visualised the impact of social forces upon humanity. Blake’s powerful, emancipatory art has been historically neutralised as the ramblings of a ‘madman’. However, this talk will argue Blake was an incisive mind who offered nuanced ideas of social freedom.
Please note: this is not a comprehensive biography of Blake, but introduces ways into understanding political and philosophical themes in his work.
What will we cover?
-An introduction to Blake's art career
-The social and philosophical context of the 18th century London Blake inhabited
-An introduction to Blake's distinctive mythology and how it reflects his specific philosophical outlook
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
-To discuss some of the key philosophical elements present in William Blake's art
-To understand how Blake fits into the world of late 18th century London
-To describe some of the key visual elements of Blake's art
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is open to all.
You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. This course does not include an active discussion or Q&A. This is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.
Sarah Jaffray holds a BA and MA in Art History with an emphasis in 19th/20th century France and a minor in the Italian Renaissance. She holds a second MA in Cultural Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London. Sarah was a lecturer for several colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area before relocating to London in 2012. She has worked in curatorial roles at the British Museum and Wellcome Collection. In addition to her current teaching at City Lit, Sarah is a lecturer at the University of Arts London and the Tutor Coordinator for City Lit's Art History programme. Her art historical practice focuses on experimental narratives, artistic process, art pedagogy, politics and philosophy. Sarah's current research is focused on translation and empathy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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