Colinet Mocked by Two Boys, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil"
Original title: Colinet Mocked by Two Boys, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil"
kurzbeschreibung
Two boys taunt the shepherd Colinet in this wood engraving of 1821 by William Blake, based on a moment from Robert John Thornton's 'Pastorals of Virgil'. The small print, measuring 3.7 by 7.9 cm, features three figures in a woodland setting: the two mockers on the left and another figure with an arrow on the right. The work is in black and white.
Description
The scene stretches across the wide format, with the three figures occupying the middle ground while trees frame the image on either side. On the left, the boys thrust objects forward and point at Colinet, who stands on the right holding an arrow. Above them, the sky is lightly clouded. The figures wear garments in an older tradition. Variations of light and dark are achieved through thin strokes and clusters of lines, characteristic of wood engraving.
Context
The print was intended for Robert John Thornton's edition of the 'Pastorals of Virgil', published in 1821 and among the widely circulated texts of classical literature. Blake turned to wood engraving, a medium he favored for book illustration. The action derives from a Virgilian eclogue that speaks of rural life and shepherds. By then, Blake was already established as an artist and poet who often drew on biblical and literary subjects.
Impact
What stands out is the confident handling of line and the lively interaction of the figures within such a tight space. The small size does nothing to diminish the narrative tension; the eye is drawn into the event. The absence of color gives the print a timeless quality, almost like a pure graphic work.
Technique
The print was made from a woodblock into which the design was cut and which was then printed. The thin lines and graduated shading reveal Blake's skill in this technique. The block measures only 3.7 by 7.9 cm, demanding the utmost care in cutting.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)