Job rebuked by his Friends

Job rebuked by his Friends by William Blake is a profound engraving created between 1825 and 1826, serving as one of the key illustrations for the artist’s seminal series dedicated to the Book of Job. This print exemplifies Blake’s masterful command of linear expression and his visionary interpretation of biblical scripture, techniques that set his work apart during the late Romantic era.

The scene captures the apex of Job’s suffering, depicting him afflicted and grieving while being confronted by the three friends who have come to console him but instead condemn him. Blake meticulously renders the emotional tension between the Men, whose gestures and postures convey judgment and accusation, and the central figure of Job, who represents unwavering faith amidst extreme adversity. The composition is typically bordered by explanatory text or marginal images referencing relevant biblical passages. The visual narrative often includes symbolic elements, such as the Women associated with Job’s household lamenting his fate, and sometimes the presence of Birds or other creatures symbolizing nature’s indifference or divine observation.

Blake created these engravings late in his career, using the medium to distill decades of artistic and spiritual contemplation into clear, powerful forms. His reliance on printmaking ensured that the illustrations reached a broader audience, solidifying his legacy as both a poet and a visual artist. The finished piece is classified as a print and is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), where it serves as a critical example of Blake’s unique engagement with theological themes. Due to its cultural significance and age, this work, alongside others from the series, is frequently referenced in art history and its images often circulate in the public domain.