The Book of Job: Pl. 16, Thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked

The engraving "The Book of Job: Pl. 16, Thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked" was created by William Blake in 1825. This work is a pivotal example of British Romantic printmaking, representing the profound spiritual and artistic concerns of the artist near the end of his life.

As Plate 16 in the acclaimed twenty-one-part series illustrating the biblical Book of Job, this specific scene depicts the moment of Job’s intense suffering under divine judgment. The composition centers on Job, his despair amplified by the dramatic, swirling figures that surround him, symbolizing the wrathful forces of justice referenced in the title. Blake, an English master from the United Kingdom, executed the piece using the challenging technique of line engraving. This medium allowed him to achieve crisp, powerful definition and dramatic contrast between areas of light and deep shadow, reinforcing the theological intensity of the subject. The muscular figures and apocalyptic energy are highly characteristic of Blake's unique visual language, which often blended neoclassical forms with deeply personal, mystical visions.

The complete series illustrating The Book of Job is often considered Blake’s magnum opus in the field of prints, profoundly influencing subsequent generations of artists and writers. Blake’s interpretation elevates the ancient narrative into a complex meditation on justice, faith, and the limits of human understanding. This historically significant print is part of the extensive collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving its original artistic integrity. Since the work is now in the public domain, high-quality images and detailed reproductions of Blake’s masterful prints are widely accessible for scholarship and appreciation.