Colinet Departs in Sorrow by William Blake, created in 1821, is a significant example of the artist's late engagement with the medium of wood engraving. This classification as a print highlights Blake’s interest in technical experimentation and his enduring dedication to creating visually resonant works that often accompanied poetic or literary texts. Executed during the British Romantic period, specifically encompassing the years 1801 to 1825, the piece showcases the stark, graphic intensity achievable through the relief printmaking process.
As a master of symbolic visual language, Blake utilized the challenging nature of the wood engraving technique to achieve a sense of dense, dramatic emotion appropriate for the sorrowful subject matter suggested by the title. Unlike his earlier copperplate engravings, this later medium allowed for highly controlled line work and profound contrasts between light and shadow, defining the figures and setting with powerful clarity. The technical execution of the piece is typical of Blake's mature style, blending visionary intensity with exacting detail.
The narrative suggested by Colinet Departs in Sorrow falls within Blake’s broader practice of illustration and mythological interpretation. It reflects the intense emotional and allegorical focus common in the output of British artists working at the close of the Georgian era. The work is held in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., and serves as a vital document of Blake’s continued artistic output in the years leading up to his death.
Because of the historical importance of the artist and the age of the production, many of Blake’s influential prints from this period are now widely available in the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts alike broad access to high-quality reproductions for study. Blake’s distinctive contribution to the art of the print ensures that works like this continue to be studied for their technical mastery and profound symbolism within the history of 19th-century art.
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