Colinet Mocked by Two Boys, from The Pastorals of Virgil

Colinet Mocked by Two Boys, from The Pastorals of Virgil by William Blake English, 1757-1827, is a delicate and powerful wood engraving created in 1821. This intimate work was executed on off-white wove paper and forms part of Blake's celebrated series illustrating Robert John Thornton's third edition of The Pastorals of Virgil. The small scale and highly intricate line work demonstrate the artist's unique approach to relief printing, often contrasting dramatically with the prevalent stipple and line engraving styles of the era.

The subject matter interprets a poignant moment from the classical text, capturing a scene of pastoral vulnerability and conflict. Blake translates the narrative through a highly personal, visionary aesthetic, focusing on the figure of the young shepherd Colinet, who is positioned centrally as he is subjected to ridicule by the two flanking boys. The composition uses intense, almost primitive forms and radical manipulation of light and shadow, highlighting the psychological intensity of the mocking.

This series represents one of 1757-1827’s final and most influential achievements in the medium of printmaking. Though initially criticized for their rough-hewn style, these works later became highly regarded for their dramatic expressiveness, influencing subsequent generations of English wood engravers. The piece provides crucial documentation of the intersection between classical literature and the Romantic movement in England during the early nineteenth century. This significant example of Blake’s late career currently resides within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As this artwork is now widely accessible, high-quality images of the seminal print are frequently available through public domain resources.