Job and His Family

Job and His Family is a foundational engraving executed by William Blake in 1825, serving as the first plate in his famed illustrations for the biblical Book of Job. This powerful image, classified as a print, was created late in the artist’s life and exemplifies his mature visionary style. The work was produced using the demanding technique of engraving on delicate India paper, allowing Blake to achieve extraordinarily fine detail and high contrast. As a profoundly spiritual British artist, Blake utilized the medium to convey complex theological narratives with characteristic linear precision and intense symmetry during the period spanning 1801 to 1825.

The engraving centers on the patriarch Job surrounded by his ten children, depicted in a scene of idyllic familial piety before the calamitous tests of faith begin. Blake renders the figures in a stylized, neoclassical manner, emphasizing innocence and spiritual harmony. Unlike traditional depictions that focus on the suffering Job, this print captures the state of blessedness that precedes his trials, setting the thematic stage for the subsequent plates in the series. The composition is highly formal, framed by text drawn from the Book of Job itself and decorated with accompanying imagery, a feature common to Blake’s illuminated designs.

This particular impression of the engraving is housed within the renowned collection of the National Gallery of Art, underscoring its historical importance within the legacy of British graphic arts. As a celebrated example of early nineteenth-century prints, the meticulous detail and spiritual depth of the work continue to draw scholarly attention. Given its age and significance, this powerful representation of faith and endurance is often made accessible through public domain initiatives, ensuring broad appreciation for Blake’s final, masterful achievements as a printmaker and biblical illustrator.