Thenot Under a Fruit Tree, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil"

Thenot Under a Fruit Tree, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil" is a wood engraving created by William Blake in 1821. This small, intensely visionary print is a key example of late Romantic illustration and represents one of Blake’s most significant achievements in the graphic arts. The work is identified as the second state of the plate, reflecting refinements made during the printing process.

The piece was commissioned as one of seventeen illustrations for Robert John Thornton’s 1821 edition of The Pastorals of Virgil. Despite the demanding constraints of commercial wood engraving, Blake utilized the medium to infuse the classical source material with his distinct, mystical interpretation. The illustration captures a quiet, contemplative moment characteristic of the pastoral genre, emphasizing the deep connection between the figures and their natural setting. We see men gathered beneath sturdy trees, perhaps discussing philosophy or awaiting the harvest, surrounded by the lush promise of fruit suggested by the rich, though stark, background texture.

Though contemporary critics initially found the rough, expressionistic style of these small prints unconventional, Blake’s bold approach is now celebrated for its imaginative compression and emotional depth. He intentionally rejected the smooth, highly finished style common in early nineteenth-century engraving, prioritizing spiritual vision over technical polish. Blake's work on the Pastorals series proved profoundly influential, impacting the subsequent generation of British printmakers, particularly the artists associated with Samuel Palmer. This historically significant print resides in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and cultural status, images of this influential print are often available through public domain resources.