Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord by William Blake, executed in 1825, is a masterful example of the artist’s late style and proficiency in the Print medium. Rendered as an intricate engraving on India paper, this work belongs to Blake’s renowned series of illustrations for the biblical Book of Job. Created during the height of the Romantic movement in British art (1801 to 1825), the print captures the dramatic narrative moment following the Divine council, depicting the adversary departing from the heavenly presence to initiate his challenge against Job.
Blake utilizes a powerful, linear style characteristic of his unique approach to spiritual and mythological subjects. The composition emphasizes the contrast between the ethereal, light-filled heavens and the dynamic figure of Satan, who, though radiating energy, appears constrained by the divine mandate. The careful execution of the engraving highlights the expressive quality of Blake's figures, conveying both the solemnity of God's decision and the calculated malice of the adversary. This specific medium allows for subtle tonal variations, enhancing the dramatic tension inherent in the biblical scene and underscoring Blake’s lifelong preoccupation with spiritual struggle, morality, and the interpretation of canonical texts.
As a significant example of British graphic art from the early nineteenth century, this work provides crucial insight into Blake's final years of intensive artistic production. The original Print resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art. The complexity and enduring artistic importance of the Job series, of which Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord is a key component, ensure that this engraving remains frequently studied by scholars of Romantic literature and art history. High-quality reproductions and digital assets related to these pivotal prints are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to Blake’s innovative artistic vision.
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