Job and His Family

Job and His Family by William Blake is a seminal work of engraving, executed in 1825 during the final phase of the artist's life. This powerful print belongs to Blake’s renowned suite of twenty-one illustrations for the biblical Book of Job, often cited as the pinnacle of his achievement in printmaking. Created during the British period spanning 1801 to 1825, this work exemplifies the highly imaginative and deeply spiritual nature of Romantic artistry.

Blake utilized the exacting technique of line engraving to translate complex theological concepts into visual form. Unlike conventional illustrations of the era, the prints are characterized by their linear clarity, visionary symbolism, and the deliberate integration of scriptural quotations and marginal decorations surrounding the central image. The composition typically portrays the Patriarch Job surrounded by his wife and ten children, often situated beneath the shelter of a spreading tree, symbolizing stability and prosperity before God allows Satan to test him. The initial state of harmony sets the crucial context for the subsequent tragedy and eventual restoration depicted throughout the remainder of the series.

This series demonstrates Blake’s unique ability to merge classical drawing principles with profoundly mystical subject matter. The technical mastery displayed in the handling of light and shadow, particularly in the later plates of the series, cemented Blake’s reputation as one of Britain’s foremost graphic artists of the time. The profound cultural legacy of this influential British work ensures its continuous study.

This important example of Job and His Family is preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to the historical nature and significance of these 19th-century prints, reproductions are often made available through public domain programs, allowing students and scholars worldwide to access Blake’s profound vision and mastery of the engraving medium.