Satan Smiting Job with Boils

Satan Smiting Job with Boils is an intense work created by William Blake in 1825. This powerful piece, classified within Blake’s portfolio, is an engraving executed meticulously on thick paper. Produced near the conclusion of the Romantic movement, the artwork falls within the artistic period of 1801 to 1825. As a seminal figure in British culture, Blake consistently used the graphic medium to reinterpret profound biblical narratives, making this work a quintessential example of his late-career printmaking mastery.

The subject, derived from the Old Testament Book of Job, depicts the terrifying moment Satan inflicts painful, agonizing boils upon the pious Job, a central narrative illustrating the test of faith and endurance. Blake emphasizes the dramatic tension inherent in the tale, portraying Satan as a powerful, muscular figure descending over the afflicted patriarch. Job lies nearly naked, protected only by his faith despite the physical suffering imposed upon him. Typical of Blake’s intensely visionary style, the figures are delineated with sharp, expressive lines, characteristic of the precise relief etching and engraving techniques he favored. This intricate technique allowed Blake to combine complex visual compositions with spiritual text, reflecting his unique religious and artistic convictions.

This compelling engraving represents the pinnacle of Blake's lifelong exploration of suffering, redemption, and divine authority. Though produced late in his life, the piece holds an essential place in the understanding of the artist's theological and visual legacy. Today, the work is housed in the collection of British prints at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Due to its age and stature as a key historical artifact, high-quality prints and reproductions of this crucial religious subject are often available through public domain resources, allowing modern audiences worldwide to study Blake’s complex visual theology.