Shepherd Chases Away a Wolf, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil"

Shepherd Chases Away a Wolf, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil" is a powerful wood engraving created by William Blake in 1821. This work, executed in its rare first state, belongs to the series of illustrations Blake produced for Dr. Robert John Thornton’s school edition of The Pastorals of Virgil. The small-scale image captures a dramatic moment centered on the classical subject of pastoral life interrupted by danger. A lone figure, representing the shepherd, stands positioned amidst stark, stylized trees, actively warding off a wolf that threatens his flock.

This print exemplifies Blake’s unique late style, where the precision inherent in wood engraving is pushed toward expressionism. Unlike more traditional illustrations common during the period, Blake’s designs possess a visionary, almost primordial quality. The gnarled, shadowy trees and the exaggerated movement of the figures lend the scene intense energy despite its miniature scale. The stark contrast between light and shadow, typical of historic prints from the early nineteenth century, amplifies the tension between the protector and the animal predator.

The wood engravings for Thornton’s Virgil are considered among Blake's most inventive and influential works in the medium of prints, significantly impacting subsequent generations of British printmakers. This exceptional impression of Shepherd Chases Away a Wolf resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of their age and profound cultural significance, such prints are often accessible for study through public domain initiatives, ensuring Blake’s singular vision remains widely available to researchers and art enthusiasts globally.