The Book of Job: Pl. 14, When the morning Stars sang together, and all the / Sons of God shouted for joy by William Blake, created in 1825, is a masterful example of 19th-century visionary art from the United Kingdom. This engraving is one of 21 highly detailed illustrations Blake produced late in his career for the Old Testament Book of Job, a complex narrative exploring themes of faith, suffering, and divine justice. The precise line work and luminous quality of the print showcase Blake's technical expertise as an engraver, merging classical artistic traditions with his unique, deeply personal mystical symbolism.
The composition visually realizes the text from Job 38:7, which recounts the moment of creation. Blake places the figure of God the Father centrally, surrounded by a multitude of dynamic, rejoicing figures identified as the “Sons of God.” These celestial beings convey a powerful sense of cosmic movement and ecstatic harmony. In contrast to earlier plates that focused intensely on Job’s material despair and spiritual confusion, this work signifies a moment of divine revelation and transcendence, where the suffering protagonist is granted a vision of the grand, joyous order of the universe.
This significant work is held in the renowned collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, representing a crucial phase of Blake’s artistic output. Although created as fine art prints for a limited audience, these powerful designs became immensely influential, bridging the gap between Romanticism and early Symbolism. Since the original copper plates for this series are now in the public domain, the iconic imagery of Blake's interpretation of The Book of Job continues to be reproduced globally, offering a profound commentary on spiritual enlightenment and redemption.
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