Thenot Under a Fruit Tree, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil"
Original title: Thenot Under a Fruit Tree, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil"
kurzbeschreibung
Two elderly shepherds sit beneath a fruit tree with their sheep in this 1821 wood engraving by William Blake, part of his series for Thornton's 'Pastorals of Virgil'. Blake produced the print in its second state, and the scene unfolds at night.
Description
On a rocky ledge, two old men are seated: the one on the left, with long hair, raises his arms upward, while the right-hand figure looks calmly toward him. Sheep lie on the ground between them. Above the mountainous landscape, moon and stars cast a nocturnal light over the image. The layout is horizontal, with the figures placed centrally; the illumination feels somber and atmospheric.
Context
Robert John Thornton's 1821 edition of the 'Pastorals of Virgil' — a translation of the Roman poet's eclogues — included this illustration. For Blake, it was his last major series of book illustrations. The first eclogue, in which the shepherds Thenot and Colinet discuss country life, provided the source. Contemporaries initially criticized Blake's wood engravings; later they were regarded as masterpieces of book art.
Impact
Bright stars stand out against dark shadows, lending the print something mysterious and reflective. The figures and animals emanate a calm, almost meditative mood that draws the viewer into the night landscape. The reduction to essentials gives the small format unexpected depth and expressive power.
Technique
For this wood engraving, Blake transferred the design onto a woodblock from which the print was later taken. In the second state, signs of wear on the block are clearly visible, making the lines appear softer. Wood engravings thrive on strong light-dark contrasts; here, fine, detailed lines are added.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)