Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord

William Blake’s profound illustration, Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord, created in 1825, exemplifies the artist's intense engagement with religious and mythological subjects late in his career. This specific composition is one of the celebrated series illustrating the Book of Job, marking one of the final and most important achievements of the British Romantic period. Executed as a meticulously detailed engraving, the print medium allowed Blake to achieve dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, characteristic of his highly symbolic figural representations.

The subject depicts the pivotal moment immediately following the agreement between God and Satan, wherein the Adversary is granted leave to test the righteousness of Job. Blake renders Satan not merely as a monstrous figure, but as an intensely powerful, muscular, and human-like entity departing the celestial realm, shown against a swirling vortex of energy. Characteristic of Blake’s visionary style during the 1801 to 1825 period, the composition emphasizes pure line and spiritual energy over traditional naturalistic modeling. The use of geometric and linear patterns reinforces the divine order inherent in the scene, cementing Blake’s reputation as a deeply complex and uniquely British interpreter of scripture.

This powerful visual narrative remains a cornerstone of the artist’s visual legacy, capturing his technical refinements in the difficult art of line engraving. As a fine example of early 19th-century prints, the work holds significant art historical value. This print is currently classified within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its age and historical significance, high-resolution reproductions of this artwork are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued access to Blake's monumental late-career output.