The Book of Job: Pl. 15, Behold now Behemoth which I made with thee, created by William Blake in 1825, is a masterful engraving from the artist's final and most celebrated illustrated book project. This series reinterpreted the biblical Book of Job, exploring profound themes of suffering, divine justice, and spiritual enlightenment through highly symbolic imagery. Executed late in Blake’s career, the medium of engraving allowed the British master to achieve exceptional linear clarity and intense visual contrast, reflecting his signature visionary approach to narrative illustration.
Plate 15 depicts the moment God speaks to Job from the whirlwind, challenging him to comprehend the scale of divine creation by presenting the massive Behemoth. Blake renders the monstrous, powerful creature dominating the lower portion of the frame, contrasting its bulk with the smaller, awestruck figures of Job and his wife positioned above. The composition is typical of Blake's mature style, merging the strict draftsmanship associated with Neoclassicism with the mystical fervor of the Romantic era. Blake’s intricate detailing in these prints firmly establishes his influence on graphic art produced in the United Kingdom during the early 19th century.
The finished set of engravings quickly became celebrated, cementing Blake's posthumous reputation as one of the great visionaries in art history. This impression of The Book of Job: Pl. 15, Behold now Behemoth which I made with thee is part of the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. As this monumental work is widely recognized today, the availability of high-quality prints ensures continued scholarly study and public appreciation of Blake's enduring contribution, with many images eventually entering the public domain for broader access.
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