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How William Blake uses light as a symbol to cast the difference between two groups

"He believed he saw angels and his art was supposed to convey some of that experience."
Constance C. McPhee
2 min. watch

"He believed he saw angels and his art was supposed to convey some of that experience."

Curator Constance McPhee on William Blake's "The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins."

Featured artwork:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/340853

Throughout 2013, The Met invited curators from across the Museum to each talk about one artwork that changed the way they see the world.

Photography by Eileen Travell

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Contributors

Constance C. McPhee
Curator, Department of Drawings and Prints

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Art Mentioned

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The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, William Blake British, Watercolor, pen and black ink, brush and wash, over graphite
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
William Blake
ca. 1799–1800