Job and His Family

Job and His Family, created by William Blake in 1825, is a significant example of the artist’s late-career engagement with biblical narrative. This meticulously rendered piece is an engraving on thick paper, distinguished by an additional, delicate border executed in graphite. Classified as part of a portfolio, this work encapsulates Blake’s unique vision that merges classical structures with intensely personal, mystical symbolism.

As a major figure in British art, Blake produced this illustration during the period spanning 1801 to 1825, a time characterized by his renewed focus on printmaking and illustration projects, most notably his comprehensive interpretations of the Book of Job. The composition focuses on the patriarch and his kin, perhaps depicting the family in a moment of quiet piety or contemplation, setting the thematic stage for the trials and subsequent restoration central to the biblical text.

The technical mastery demonstrated in the engraving underscores Blake’s enduring skill in line work, allowing him to achieve both profound emotional depth and minute textual clarity. The added graphite border suggests the unique presentation of this specific print, perhaps differentiating it within the overall publication intended for dissemination. Blake frequently utilized the creation of prints to convey his powerful religious and philosophical interpretations, making works like Job and His Family accessible to a wider audience.

This detailed composition, held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, serves as a crucial reference point for understanding early 19th-century British illustration. Owing to its historical significance and age, this work and related studies are frequently cited in art historical scholarship, with many high-quality reproductions having moved into the public domain for academic study and appreciation.