Songs of Innocence: The Chimney Sweeper 1789 - 1825

This print, Songs of Innocence: The Chimney Sweeper, was made by William Blake, sometime before 1789. It combines etching and watercolor – humble materials for such a powerful image. Blake was a trained printmaker, and his method was unusual. He drew his designs on a metal plate with an acid-resistant substance, then etched away the unprotected areas, leaving a raised design. This allowed him to print the image and text together. The washes of watercolor give each print a unique quality, belying the mechanical nature of the printing process. Look closely, and you will notice how the words and images intertwine, becoming almost one. Blake was deeply concerned with the social issues of his time, and this print speaks to the grim realities of child labor. The poem tells of a young chimney sweep who dreams of freedom, yet awakens to continue his grim work. Blake’s combination of word and image creates a directness which implicates the viewer, connecting aesthetics and ethics, highlighting the human cost of industrial society.