Shepherd Chases Away a Wolf, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil" (1821, Met-Objekt 3876)
Original title: Shepherd Chases Away a Wolf, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil"
kurzbeschreibung
William Blake made this wood engraving in 1821 as one of his illustrations for the 'Pastorals of Virgil'. It shows a shepherd raising his staff to drive off a wolf. The print measures 3.7 by 7.5 cm and is in the second state.
Description
A shepherd in a long robe dominates the middle of the image, his right arm lifted in a defensive gesture while his left hand grips a staff. To the left, a wolf moves away. Trees and a fence close off the rural setting. The wood engraving relies on strong dark areas and bright patches of white, which give the figures a sculptural presence.
Context
This wood engraving was made in 1821 as an illustration for Robert John Thornton's 'Pastorals of Virgil', a school edition of the pastoral poems. Blake, who often took on book illustration commissions at the time, used a technique that was rather unusual for him, yet he handled it with assurance.
Impact
Clear lines and the sharp contrast of light and dark lend this small print an immediate drama. Despite its size of only 3.7 by 7.5 cm, the scene gains depth and feels almost monumental.
Technique
In wood engraving, the design is cut into a wood block and then printed. The second state represents the final version after any revisions. Precise lines and careful shading show Blake's confident command of the medium.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)