Songs of Innocence: Nurse's Song 1789 - 1825

"Nurse's Song" is a hand-colored illuminated printing from William Blake's 1789 "Songs of Innocence" collection. It is a single page illuminated printing depicting a scene of children playing in a field while a nurse sits and watches. The bright colors and stylized figures typical of Blake's illuminated printing are present in this artwork. The visual composition is meant to evoke a sense of innocence and joy, reflecting the themes of Blake's poetry. This piece, like many from Songs of Innocence, is meant to portray an ideal world where children are free to play. The poem itself is a lullaby-like song about the joy of childhood, and it has been interpreted as a celebration of the natural world and the beauty of simple pleasures.