The Book of Job: Pl. 11, With Dreams upon my bed thou scarest me and affrightest me / with Visions

The Book of Job: Pl. 11, With Dreams upon my bed thou scarest me and affrightest me / with Visions by William Blake, created in 1825, is a crucial image from the artist’s final and most celebrated illustrated series. This print utilizes the detailed and demanding medium of engraving, showcasing Blake’s masterful control over line work and stark light-and-dark contrasts. The scene illustrates the terrifying spiritual torment Job experiences, directly quoting the scriptural text (Job 7:14) in the marginal design surrounding the central image.

The composition depicts Job lying in bed, his body contorted in fear as an immense, spectral figure rises from the foot of his bed, its form defined by radiating white light against deep shadow. This overpowering presence symbolizes the divine visitation and psychological dread afflicting the patriarch, a common theme within the visionary art movements popular in the United Kingdom during the early 19th century. Blake’s design emphasizes the dramatic disparity between the small, vulnerable human figure and the terrifying supernatural entity.

The complete series of twenty-one engravings based on the Book of Job is considered the culmination of Blake’s lifelong engagement with theological and mythological subjects. These prints embody the artist's unique approach to biblical illustration, merging traditional narrative with deeply personalized spiritual symbolism. As a significant example of this late style, this engraving is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of the work's age and historical importance, reproductions of these powerful prints are widely accessible, often available through public domain art initiatives.