“The Goblin” is a distinguished artwork by William Blake, executed between 1816 and 1820 using pen and watercolor. This piece belongs to the Symbolism art movement and falls within the illustration genre. It is part of the series “Illustrations to John Milton – L’Allegro and Il Penseroso.”
The artwork is a rich visual composition featuring a spectral figure, likely a goblin, rendered in a dynamic pose and seemingly floating above a rustic setting. The translucent goblin, surrounded by stars, appears ethereal and otherworldly, juxtaposed against the earthly scene below depicting humans engaged in mundane activities within and around a cottage. The scene is imbued with mystical and allegorical elements, consistent with Blake’s symbolic and illustrative style. Additionally, a luminous figure is depicted in the top left corner, adding a spiritual dimension to the artwork. The intricate details and the interplay of mystical and earthly realms reflect the deep symbolic narrative typical of Blake’s illustrations for John Milton’s works.