Jongen met twee ossen en een ploeg

The print Jongen met twee ossen en een ploeg by William Blake, created between 1820 and 1821, captures an idealized scene of agrarian labor. Executed as a print on paper, this work demonstrates Blake’s mastery of graphic media, which he utilized throughout his career not only for illustrating literary works but also for developing independent artistic statements.

Produced during the last years of the artist’s life, this piece reflects Blake’s continuing engagement with classical and spiritual archetypes, filtering the straightforward subject matter of a boy guiding a plow and oxen through his unique visionary lens. Unlike his complex mythological compositions, this print presents a tranquil yet dignified scene, elevating the everyday task of plowing into a moment of eternal struggle and simplicity. The meticulous linear quality and subtle tonal variations evident in the medium reflect Blake’s technical precision, honed over decades of professional engraving.

Though best known for his illuminated books and illustrations for Dante and the Book of Job, this less frequently seen work highlights the diversity of Blake’s output in the 1820s. This compelling example of 19th-century British prints resides in the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum. As many such works from this period have entered institutional holdings, high-resolution copies of Blake’s graphic output are often found within the public domain, allowing for greater scholarly study and appreciation of the artist’s profound contributions to European art.