Satan Smiting Job with Boils

Satan Smiting Job with Boils by William Blake is a profound engraving executed in 1825, forming part of the artist’s celebrated series illustrating the biblical Book of Job. Created late in Blake’s career, this work captures the climactic moment where the celestial wager between God and Satan culminates in the physical torment of the righteous man Job.

As a master of the print medium, Blake utilized the demanding technique of engraving to achieve exceptionally fine, dynamic linework and dramatic contrasts. This meticulous execution transforms the biblical narrative into a highly personal vision of spiritual struggle. The scene depicts Satan, a figure of tremendous, oppressive energy and muscular power, striking the prostrate Job with the curse of painful boils. Blake’s distinctive style employs highly stylized figures and dense fields of cross-hatching, emphasizing the raw anguish of Job and the cruel force of his divine adversary. The composition focuses intimately on the suffering body, reflecting the core theme of faith tested under extreme duress.

This print serves as a seminal example of British artistic output during the period 1801 to 1825, reflecting Blake’s lifelong preoccupation with visionary literature and profound allegory. The meticulous detail and spiritual intensity inherent in the work cemented Blake’s reputation as a visionary printmaker. Today, this impression resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing critical insight into the artist’s final, monumental achievements. Due to its status and age, this iconic engraving is frequently reproduced and studied, often becoming available for wider appreciation through public domain archives dedicated to classic prints.