Job's Sacrifice

Job's Sacrifice by William Blake is a powerful engraving created between 1825 and 1826. As a master printmaker, Blake executed this scene on copperplate, displaying his characteristic linear style. This particular image constitutes Plate 2 from his celebrated series illustrating the Book of Job, a narrative that profoundly resonated with the artist throughout his career and culminated in one of his most recognized achievements.

The composition shows the patriarch Job performing a morning ritual, surrounded by his family. The scene emphasizes piety and obedience before the ultimate trials begin. Blake depicts Job standing by a central altar, while his wife and ten children, including the Women subjects of the piece, are arranged in harmonious, often idealized, poses around him. In the upper register, the presence of hovering Angels suggests divine observation and approval of Job’s righteousness. This early plate establishes the spiritual purity from which the protagonist will later fall. Blake’s visual works consistently merge classical form with deeply personal theological interpretation.

This late work demonstrates Blake’s mature handling of line and shadow, representing a significant pinnacle of nineteenth-century English prints. The complete set is considered a masterpiece of visionary art. This specific impression is currently held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the age and profound influence of the series, high-quality images of this print are frequently available for study through public domain resources, ensuring the continued accessibility of Blake’s final, essential visionary statements.