Satan Smiting Job with Boils

Satan Smiting Job with Boils is a powerful engraving created by William Blake in 1825. This work, rendered on thick paper, belongs to a celebrated series illustrating the Book of Job, a critical source of spiritual inquiry for Blake later in his career. The scene captures the moment of Job's profound suffering, as Satan, commissioned by God to test the righteous man's faith, unleashes boils and plague upon the faithful servant.

Executed using the demanding technique of line engraving, the piece demonstrates Blake’s meticulous draftsmanship and his highly personalized approach to spiritual narrative. This method of printmaking allowed for the widespread dissemination of religious and mythological imagery, aligning with the Portfolio classification of the work. Produced toward the end of the artist’s life, during the British artistic period spanning 1801 to 1825, Blake utilized sharp linearity and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, emphasizing both the spiritual agony and the stark, theatrical opposition between divine forces and human endurance.

Blake frequently utilized such Biblical subjects to explore profound philosophical themes regarding justice, martyrdom, and the nature of suffering. Here, the figure of Satan is drawn with muscular intensity, a characteristic element of Blake's mature style, hovering menacingly over the afflicted Job. The enduring popularity of Blake’s visualizations means that high-quality prints and reproductions of this work are frequently accessible through initiatives promoting the use of public domain art. This significant engraving remains an important example of British Romanticism and is currently housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.