Shepherd Chases Away Wolf, from The Pastorals of Virgil

"Shepherd Chases Away Wolf, from The Pastorals of Virgil" is a powerful wood engraving created by William Blake English, 1757-1827, in 1821. This small but intensely energetic work exemplifies Blake's distinctive illustrative style during his final years. Executed on off-white wove paper, the technical demands of the wood engraving medium allowed Blake to achieve deep, stark contrasts and densely worked surfaces, perfectly suited to the dramatic subject matter.

The composition is one of Blake’s seventeen illustrations for Robert John Thornton’s edition of Virgil’s Pastorals (also known as the Eclogues), published in 1821. These miniature, yet highly influential, illustrations represent a major achievement in early 19th-century British book illustration. Blake depicted the dramatic confrontation where the heroic shepherd confronts the wolf threatening his flock, a symbolic representation of spiritual and earthly protection.

Rather than adhering to the prevalent Neoclassicism of the period in England, Blake utilized thick, stylized lines and simplified forms that evoke medieval and early Renaissance aesthetics. This deliberate choice underscores Blake’s commitment to visionary art, interpreting classical texts through his unique spiritual and artistic framework. The piece is a remarkable example of how the artist maximized the expressive potential of printmaking techniques to convey motion and emotion within a limited space.

This significant work is held in the permanent prints and drawings collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Though originally created for a specific publication, the enduring power of Blake’s late visionary output ensures its continued study. As this English masterwork is now in the public domain, high-quality images and prints continue to circulate, underscoring its historical and artistic value.