Songs of Innocence: Little Boy Lost 1789 - 1825

"Songs of Innocence: Little Boy Lost" is a print made by William Blake, who lived between the late 18th and early 19th century. Blake was deeply engaged with the social and political upheavals of his time, including the French Revolution and the rise of industrial capitalism, and this informs his artistic approach. Blake’s work gives prominence to the themes of innocence and experience. "Little Boy Lost" raises questions about paternal authority and the vulnerability of childhood in a rapidly changing world. The poem tells of a child's desperate plea to his father, set against a backdrop of deepening shadows and an implied abandonment. Blake uses the figure of the child to critique the rigid social structures that leave the most vulnerable exposed. The imagery—a small figure in a vast, ominous landscape— evokes a sense of isolation. Blake creates an emotional resonance that speaks to the universal experiences of fear and dependence. Through his integration of text and image, Blake challenges traditional representations of childhood, suggesting its precariousness. The artwork encourages us to reflect on the societal structures which shape our emotional lives.