The Book of Job: Pl. 16, Thou hast fulfilled the Judgment of the Wicked

The Book of Job: Pl. 16, Thou hast fulfilled the Judgment of the Wicked, is a profound engraving created by William Blake in 1825. This masterpiece belongs to Blake’s renowned suite of twenty-one illustrations detailing the biblical narrative of Job’s suffering and ultimate redemption. As a major figure in the Romantic movement of the United Kingdom, Blake utilized his mastery of the print medium to convey powerful spiritual and visionary themes through visual theology.

This dramatic composition interprets the moment of severe divine retribution described in the book of Job, a theme central to Blake's later artistic explorations. The highly detailed texture and stark contrasts evident in the work demonstrate Blake's technical brilliance. He employed meticulous line engraving, using sharp burin work and dense cross-hatching to create intense chiaroscuro effects that heighten the emotional tension of the scene. Unlike many of his earlier experiments in illuminated printing, the 1825 Job illustrations represent a definitive return to traditional intaglio techniques, which allowed for wider distribution and solidified the series’ reputation as one of the most important sets of prints in the history of British art.

The series offers a comprehensive visual commentary on the biblical text, reflecting Blake’s unique and complex theological interpretations of innocence, suffering, and divine grace. This key example of British printmaking is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of the significance of the series, high-quality images of many of the individual pieces, including The Book of Job: Pl. 16, Thou hast fulfilled the Judgment of the Wicked, are frequently available in the public domain, allowing for global access to Blake's visionary artistry.