Frontispiece: Thenot and Colinet c. 1821s

Curator: This is William Blake's "Frontispiece: Thenot and Colinet," held here at the Tate. Look at the stark contrast in this small engraving! Editor: My initial impression is one of pastoral elegy—there's a gravity here despite the seemingly simple subject matter. Curator: These figures represent shepherds from literary tradition, symbolizing different approaches to poetry and, perhaps, to life itself. We must see them in the context of Blake's radical views on social injustice. Editor: Blake's use of the shepherd evokes long-standing religious symbolism—the caring guardian, the humble soul, the leader—but there's a tension between their stances, one reaching out, the other self-contained. Curator: That tension reflects the societal divisions Blake sought to expose, challenging the status quo through symbolic pastoral critique. Editor: Indeed, and Blake's manipulation of familiar imagery adds layers, asking us to reconsider established meanings and power structures. Curator: Thinking about this engraving within Blake's broader oeuvre really highlights his commitment to social commentary through art. Editor: And considering the enduring power of these symbols, we are reminded how art carries cultural memory, continuously reshaped by context and interpretation.