Job's Despair

Job's Despair by William Blake, created in 1825, is a powerful example of the artist's late-career mastery of the engraving medium. Classified as a print, this piece belongs to a complete series of illustrations based on the Book of Job, often considered among Blake’s finest achievements in visual storytelling. The painstaking technique of engraving allowed the artist to achieve stark contrasts and expressive linear detail, crucial for conveying the intense spiritual and physical drama of the biblical narrative.

Produced during the period spanning 1801 to 1825, this work reflects the profound mystical and symbolic concerns central to British Romanticism. Blake, a poet and artist, approached the scripture not merely as an illustrator but as a radical interpreter, using the ancient story of Job to explore universal themes of suffering, divine justice, and ultimate redemption. In this particular image of despair, Blake focuses intensely on the psychological and physical toll Job endures, capturing the moment when his worldly comforts have been stripped away and he is left alone with his agony.

The work’s profound theological depth and detailed craftsmanship secured its place as an important historical document of early 19th-century art. The legacy of this suite of prints is such that high-resolution reproductions and prints are widely made available today through public domain initiatives, allowing broader access to Blake’s profound vision. This significant engraving is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where the piece serves as a cornerstone of their holdings of British prints.