‘Nor Fox, nor Wolf, nor Rat among our Sheep’ Possibly 1821 - 1977

Editor: This is ‘Nor Fox, nor Wolf, nor Rat among our Sheep’ by William Blake. It’s an engraving, and I find the scene unsettling, almost biblical in its intensity. What symbols do you recognize? Curator: The shepherdess, a powerful, almost frantic figure, immediately strikes me. She's a guardian, arms raised, but against what? Blake often used pastoral imagery to critique societal corruption. Consider the sheep: are they literal, or symbolic of the vulnerable populace? Editor: So the animals represent people? The raised arms and crook feel more protective now. Curator: Precisely. The title itself points to hidden dangers, those who prey on the innocent. Blake uses familiar symbols to hint at deeper, often darker, truths. What feelings does the image evoke in you now? Editor: A sense of unease, definitely. It's like a warning disguised as something peaceful. Thanks, I wouldn't have seen that without your insights into the symbols. Curator: Indeed, symbols work on our subconscious, shaping our perceptions in ways we may not fully realize.