Satan Smiting Job with Boils

Satan Smiting Job with Boils by William Blake, executed in 1825, is a powerful example of the artist's late-career mastery of biblical illustration. This specific artwork is an engraving on delicate India paper, demonstrating the meticulous craftsmanship typical of Blake's printmaking output during the period of 1801 to 1825. Blake returned repeatedly to the story of Job, seeing in it profound commentary on suffering, faith, and divine justice. This piece belongs to the final set of illustrations he completed, often considered his definitive visual treatment of the ancient text.

As a pivotal figure in British Romanticism, Blake often infused his works with intense, spiritual energy, distinguishing his visionary style from his contemporaries. The print captures the dramatic climax from the Book of Job where Satan, having received permission from God, inflicts painful boils upon the steadfast prophet. Blake depicts Satan as a figure of muscular, demonic energy descending upon a vulnerable Job, emphasizing the duality of spiritual torment and physical affliction. The dense line work, characteristic of the medium of engraving, heightens the drama and tension within the confined space, utilizing sharp contrasts of light and shadow to underscore the severity of the confrontation.

The mastery demonstrated in Blake’s handling of form and composition showcases his enduring influence on graphic arts. Although created nearly two centuries ago, these complex biblical prints remain a key study for art historians interested in the unique intersection of poetry, vision, and visual art in the early 19th century. The image, Satan Smiting Job with Boils, is currently preserved in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the general public access to original impressions of this iconic series, many of which are now available through public domain initiatives.