Songs of Innocence: Night

"Songs of Innocence: Night" by William Blake is an iconic illuminated print that forms part of his foundational poetic and visual work, Songs of Innocence. Dating from the active period of 1789 to 1825, this piece exemplifies Blake’s unique, self-publishing method of relief etching. The work was first etched and printed in an evocative orange-brown ink, which Blake then meticulously hand-colored using delicate watercolor and luminous shell gold, transforming the printed matrix into a rich, detailed miniature painting.

Blake pioneered the use of relief etching to control both the text and the illustration, ensuring a unified artistic product he termed “Illuminated Printing.” This specific plate captures a serene nocturnal scene, illustrating the accompanying poem that explores themes of spiritual guardianship and divine protection. The central composition features stylized, sheltering figures beneath heavily rendered Trees, reflecting Blake's intensely personal and often symbolic visual language where nature often serves as an extension of spiritual reality.

The careful coloration employed in this impression enhances the dreamy, visionary quality associated with the book's powerful verse. As one of the most celebrated examples of British prints from the Romantic era, the work demonstrates Blake's mastery in fusing poetry and visual art. This impression currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its profound artistic and cultural influence, this landmark work is frequently studied, and high-quality images and prints derived from the original plates are widely accessible, often entering the public domain for research and appreciation.