Alfred and the Neat-Herd’s Wife (after Henry Fuseli) Possibly 1797 - 1798

Editor: Here we have William Blake's "Alfred and the Neat-Herd’s Wife," an intriguing engraving after Henry Fuseli. It has a rather theatrical feel, doesn't it? What story do you think Blake is trying to tell? Curator: Oh, Blake always has a story brewing! This illustration, with its stark lines and dramatic figures, feels like a stage set for a fever dream. Look at Alfred, almost sheepish despite his heroic posture, and the wife, looming with suspicion. It’s all very Freudian, don't you think? Editor: Freudian? I hadn't considered that! So it's about more than just the historical narrative? Curator: Perhaps! Blake wasn’t one for simple retellings, darling. He's inviting us into the psyches of these figures, hinting at the undercurrents of power, doubt, and hidden desires. What do you make of their expressions? Editor: I see what you mean; they both seem conflicted. I never thought about historical illustrations having so much depth! Curator: Isn’t it wonderful? Blake transforms a simple scene into a universe of internal drama. Art is amazing.