Thomas Stothard

The Pilgrimage to Canterbury

1806–7

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In Tate Britain

Spotlights: The Blake Room

Free entry
Artist
Thomas Stothard 1755–1834
Medium
Oil paint on oak
Dimensions
Support: 318 x 952 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Purchased 1884
Reference
N01163

Display caption

The engraver and publisher Robert Cromek commissioned this painting from Blake’s friend Stothard. Cromek put it on display and charged visitors a shilling to see it. He also collected subscriptions for the forthcoming print of the painting.  

Blake claimed that Cromek had commissioned a painting of the Canterbury Pilgrims from him first, but Cromek had not liked the design and so took the commission to Stothard. Blake accused Cromek and, through him, Stothard of copying his long, frieze-like composition. It is unlikely that Blake’s accusations were well-founded, but the dispute effectively ended Blake and Stothard's friendship.

Gallery label, September 2004

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