The Book of Job: Pl. 10, The just upright man is laughted to scorn

The Book of Job: Pl. 10, The just upright man is laughted to scorn by William Blake, created in 1825, is a masterful example of the artist's late career engraving technique. This print forms part of Blake’s monumental series illustrating the Old Testament narrative of Job, focusing here on the protagonist’s descent into despair and the cruel judgment of his comforters. The meticulous line work required for the engraving process marks a mature technical phase for Blake, moving away from the more spontaneous qualities of his earlier illuminated books.

The composition centers on the devastated Job, surrounded by his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who scornfully reject his claims of innocence, convinced that his suffering must stem from hidden sin. Blake, an artist rooted in the visionary traditions of the United Kingdom, used this biblical story to critique conventional morality and institutionalized religion. The dramatic use of light and shadow, combined with the detailed figurative elements, conveys intense psychological torment. Blake further enhances the narrative with symbolic borders, filling the marginalia of the prints with complementary scriptural passages and visionary details reinforcing the profound theological struggles inherent in the Book of Job.

The enduring quality and widespread influence of this series have secured its importance in the history of British prints and illustration. This specific impression is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of their profound cultural significance, many of the artworks and prints created by Blake during this period have entered the public domain, allowing for wider study and appreciation of his interpretive genius.