Artwork
Colinet Resting by Night
Colinet Resting by Night is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Colinet Resting by Night is a small wood‑engraved print executed in 1821 by the English poet‑artist William Blake. The monochrome image presents a nocturnal scene in which a figure reclines beside a horse beneath a moonlit sky, rendered in stark black and white. Though modest in size, the work exemplifies Blake’s commitment to printmaking as a vehicle for his imaginative visions.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a solitary man lying in repose next to a horse, set against a night sky punctuated by a moon and scattered stars. The quiet, intimate moment suggests a pause in travel or labor, inviting contemplation of rest, vulnerability, and the relationship between human and animal under the vast, indifferent heavens.
Technique & Style
Blake employed the wood‑engraving method, incising fine lines into a block of wood to create the image. He built tonal values through dense cross‑hatching, allowing dark areas to emerge while preserving a sketch‑like quality. The resulting texture is rough and tactile, with the interplay of line and space giving the scene depth despite the limited palette.
History & Provenance
Created during Blake’s lifelong residence in London, the print emerged in a period when the artist’s work was largely overlooked by contemporary audiences. Only a few copies were likely produced, and the piece remained obscure until later scholars recognized Blake’s broader contribution to Romantic visual culture.
Context
The engraving belongs to the Romantic era, a time when artists emphasized emotion, imagination, and the sublime. Blake’s output, characterized by visionary symbolism, prefigured many of the movement’s concerns. Though his reputation grew posthumously, works like this illustrate his early engagement with themes of nature, solitude, and the night.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.
