"Songs of Innocence: A Cradle Song (second plate)" is a profound work by William Blake, created between 1789 and 1825. This print utilizes the unique method Blake developed for his illuminated books, combining relief etching printed in orange-brown ink with subsequent hand-coloring using watercolor and shell gold. This dual process allowed Blake to integrate his written poetry and visual imagery seamlessly within his seminal collection, Songs of Innocence. The accompanying poem explores the spiritual simplicity of protective love, a theme visually reinforced by the gentle scene depicted.
The carefully executed print classification reveals a tender domestic moment focused on the subjects of women and infants. The composition centers on a mother figure watching over a sleeping child secured in a cradle, reflecting the intimate concerns of the accompanying text. Blake enhanced the print with detailed watercolor application and applied shell gold to emphasize specific elements, such as the surrounding decorative flora. The careful rendering of the woman and child highlights Blake’s dedication to celebrating the themes of human connection and infancy central to the Innocence series. The combination of etching and coloring makes each impression unique. This particular impression of Songs of Innocence: A Cradle Song (second plate) is held in the extensive print collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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