Shepherd Chases Away a Wolf, from Thornton's "Pastorals of Virgil" 1821

This wood engraving, "Shepherd Chases Away a Wolf," is one of William Blake's illustrations for Robert Thornton's 1821 edition of "Pastorals of Virgil." The print shows a shepherd defending his flock from a wolf by waving his crook, the dramatic scene conveying Blake's characteristically Romantic approach. The detailed lines and dark tones create a sense of urgency and emphasize the drama of the encounter. The artwork is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.