Satan Smiting Job with Boils

"Satan Smiting Job with Boils" by William Blake is a powerful example of British Romantic-era printmaking, executed in 1825. This profoundly dramatic illustration, created as an engraving on thick paper, belongs to Blake’s celebrated series interpreting the Book of Job. The work captures the harrowing moment when the protagonist, afflicted by divine permission, is subjected to physical torment by the demonic figure of Satan. Blake’s masterful control over the medium uses sharp lines and extreme contrast, enhancing the physical suffering of Job and the psychological intensity of the scene.

Created during the period spanning 1801 to 1825, this piece reflects Blake’s lifelong preoccupation with biblical prophecy, human suffering, and the nature of salvation. Blake, who served as both artist and poet, infused his imagery with intricate theological symbolism, distinguishing him within the sphere of British art. Unlike many of his contemporaries, the artist favored a highly linear style rooted in Northern Renaissance traditions, emphasizing clear form over painterly texture. The dramatic tension visible in this work is a signature of Blake's mature engraving technique.

As a highly influential series of prints, the Job illustrations represent a culmination of Blake’s career and have proven foundational to the study of early 19th-century British religious art. The complete portfolio of engravings resides within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to the work’s age and historical importance, high-resolution reproductions of these plates are frequently found in the public domain, ensuring widespread access to Blake’s complex visual theology for students and researchers across the globe.