Night Startled by the Lark

William Blake’s Night Startled by the Lark (1816–1820) exemplifies the artist’s visionary style, characterized by mystical symbolism and intricate craftsmanship. As a prolific poet and painter, Blake bridged religious painting with Symbolism, employing tempera and watercolors to evoke spiritual and dreamlike experiences. The title suggests a scene where the night is suddenly disturbed by the awakening or intrusive presence of a lark, contrasting darkness with the light and vitality of the bird. This work embodies Blake’s unique genre, blending mythic imagery with profound emotional and spiritual symbolism, inviting viewers into his deeply personal visionary universe.