Blake's work

Nebuchanezzar
Nebuchanezzar was considered as the King of Babylon, who was punishd by God because of his arrogance. The painting shows him with some resemblence of man and animal. His claws and rough skin gives him animal like characteristics, even his facial expression, shows a terrified expression, similar to that of a frightened animal.

The painting's portrayal of the transition between animal and man, could be Blakes way of emphasizing on the idea, that without arts and imagination, man would be nothing less of an animal. Since Nebuchanezzar was exiled, he was derived of culture and arts, without it, he gradual became an unregconizable animal.