The Lamb (1983)
- Title
- The Lamb (1983)
- Student Commentary:
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A child feeds a small lamb from the palm of his hand in the foreground of this image from Songs of Innocence included in the combined edition with Songs of Experience (1983 facsimile). The two are framed by vines that border the illustration on this plate. Behind them is a field filled with grazing sheep. To the right of the herd is a cottage with a thatched straw roof. Vines surround the bulk of the text on this page, except for the title which appears above the vines in a larger font.
The coloring and impact of this image should be compared to that of other reproductions in the library’s collections, made by different hands or from different original copies. This uncolored proof in black ink from the Manchester Workshop, for example, allows us to appreciate details that are harder to see when the ink color is more muted or when watercolors are added later. This print also shows what the effect would be if the borders of the copper printing plate were also inked (or not wiped free of ink) before being pressed onto the paper. Not available at the William Blake Archive; consult the book in Schaffer Library for a detailed view of the image. - Links:
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