The Pastorals of Virgil 1821

"The Pastorals of Virgil" is a four-panel woodcut created by William Blake in 1821. The work is divided into four distinct scenes, each depicting a different aspect of the bucolic landscape. The first panel shows a towering tree with a crescent moon in the sky, suggesting a sense of peace and tranquility. The second panel features a shepherdess in the foreground, her arms raised as she looks towards the sky. The third panel shows a small cottage by a river, while the final panel features a lone figure walking away from a stone marker. Blake’s use of bold lines and dramatic contrasts creates a sense of depth and dimension, while his focus on nature and its beauty reflects his deeply held Romantic ideals.