Satan Smiting Job with Boils

1825

William Blake

Associated Names
William Blake

Artist, British, 1757 - 1827

This is a drawing featuring a mythological scene. Central to the image is a strong, nude figure with outstretched arms, surrounded by dark, swirling clouds against a glowing horizon. Two figures are in the foreground, one lying prostrate and another crouching with hands covering their face. Winged forms are present among the surrounding text, which quotes a biblical verse. The text above reads, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb & Naked shall I return thither The Lord gave & the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord," referencing a passage from the Book of Job. Below the illustration, the text states, "And smote Job with sore Boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head." The lower section displays small still-life elements, illustrating objects like a water jug and domestic items. The style resembles that of William Blake, known for his rich, symbolic imagery and integration of text and image.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on India paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of W.G. Russell Allen

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 42.5 × 33.6 cm (16 3/4 × 13 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1941.1.231

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bindman 1978, no. 631

  • Series Title

    Book of Job: plate 6


Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1977

  • Paper in Prints, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1977, no. 30.

Bibliography

1978

  • Bindman, David. The Complete Graphic Works of William Blake. London: Thames and Hudson, 1978.

Wikidata ID

Q64962546

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