This piece depicts the renowned mathematician and physicist sitting on a rock, bent over a compass and a scroll on the ground. Surrounded by darkness, NEWTON appears entirely consumed by his thoughts. This powerful image was inspired by the tenth plate of Blake's illustrated treatise, 'There is No Natural Religion.'
For BLAKE, NEWTON was a representation of rationality and scientific inquiry, which he viewed as limiting and stifling. In 'ISAAC NEWTON,' the sharp angles and straight lines used to depict NEWTON'S body emphasize the repressive nature of reason. On the other hand, the organic textures of the rock, covered in algae and living organisms, symbolize the natural world. According to BLAKE, it is in nature that the human imagination finds its true reflection.
The surrounding darkness in the engraving is often interpreted as the bottom of the sea or outer space, representing NEWTON'S ignorance of the natural world and his distance from the true light of knowledge, symbolized by the Platonic light. The compass, a tool of geometry and rational order, is a symbol of the Enlightenment's materialistic worldview, which BLAKE strongly criticized.
The painting has been widely reproduced, referenced, and reinterpreted throughout history. It has become BLAKE’S most recognizable visual artwork and is often seen as a representation of his artistic philosophy. Through this powerful image, BLAKE conveys his rejection of reason and scientific inquiry in favor of the imagination and the natural world.
