“The Wandering Moon,” created by William Blake between 1816 and 1820, is a watercolor illustration that falls under the art movement of Symbolism. This artwork is part of Blake’s series titled “Illustrations to John Milton – L’Allegro and Il Penseroso.” It is an example of the genre of illustration.
The artwork depicts a celestial scene characterized by a juxtaposition of terrestrial and ethereal elements. At the center, a female figure clad in a flowing, translucent garment soars gracefully, almost seamlessly blending with the surrounding moonlit clouds and nocturnal sky. Her gaze is directed upwards as she appears to be guided by the crescent moon, which radiates a serene light. Beneath her, a robed figure, witnessing the spectacle, stands on the edge of a body of water, their arms raised in a gesture of awe or invocation. The terrestrial landscape features a calming hillside, with a church steeple discernible amidst the foliage, juxtaposed against the tranquil expanse of the water. The symbolic interplay between the grounded observer and the ascending figure set against the celestial backdrop invites contemplation on themes of transcendence, spirituality, and the sublime.
