Art, Symbol & Imagination
Thel and the Lilly beneath the Willow
A long-robed woman inclines towards a smaller figure beneath a curved willow. Blue ground and a dark tree frame their meeting at the foot of the engraved verse. The adjoining dialogue gives the Lilly a gentle answer to Thel’s fear of passing away.
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Citation
William Blake. "Thel and the Lilly beneath the Willow" [editorial title]. In The Book of Thel, William Blake. Eight-plate digital facsimile assembled from individually catalogued Yale Center for British Art photographs; historical title dated 1789. Google Art Project images via Wikimedia Commons., undated edition, William Blake (historical plates). Source scan leaf 4. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/thel-lilly
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
Historical source image. Editorial titles and interpretations are identified as such; paper tone and historical marks retained.
Sources
From the book
The Book of ThelWilliam BlakeUndated editionMore from this book
The Book of Thel: Lettering and Entwined Figures
Thel’s Lament beneath the Branching Title
Thel Sees the Worm: Section IIIRelated illustrations
Explore in the Codex
Entries that reference this illustration.
- The Cloud in ThelThe passing Cloud that describes disappearance as renewal through dew, flowers and a returning life.
- The Lilly in ThelThe small flower that answers Thel’s fear of extinction by describing care received and nourishment given.
- The Vales of HarThe flower-filled home from which Thel questions passing life and to which she returns after her descent.
Cite this illustration
William Blake. Thel and the Lilly beneath the Willow. The Book of Thel. Scan leaf 4. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/thel-lilly