The Book of Job: Pl. 10, The Just Upright Man is laughed to scorn

The Book of Job: Pl. 10, The Just Upright Man is laughed to scorn by William Blake is a profound example of 19th-century British printmaking, executed in 1825. This sophisticated engraving is one of 21 visionary designs Blake created to illustrate the Old Testament narrative of Job, a righteous man enduring profound suffering at the hands of cosmic forces. The series stands as a major achievement in the artist's career, summarizing his lifelong exploration of theology, mythology, and the struggle between faith and human despair within the cultural context of the United Kingdom.

In Plate 10, Blake captures the central psychological drama of the narrative. Job is depicted in despair, isolated and tormented, while his three comforters (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) gesture mockingly, convinced that Job’s misfortune must stem from unconfessed sin. The composition draws the viewer’s eye toward the judgmental figures, contrasting their harsh, earthly presence with the faint, geometric structures of divine order implied elsewhere in the design.

The execution in the engraving medium demonstrates Blake’s mastery of line, using high contrast and dense crosshatching to achieve deep shadows and profound emotional weight. This detailed work highlights the theme of spiritual isolation and the cruelty of human judgment, central to the biblical text. Blake’s illustrations for Job are universally regarded as masterpieces of the Romantic era. Today, high-quality prints and reproductions of this series are widely circulated, often entering the public domain for study and appreciation. This particular piece is preserved as part of the extensive collection of graphic arts held by the Cleveland Museum of Art.