The Book of Job: Pl. 19, Every one also gave him a piece of Money is a powerful engraving created by William Blake in 1825. This work is a crucial installment, Plate 19, within his highly influential series of twenty-one illustrations interpreting the Old Testament Book of Job. Executed using the technically demanding process of engraving, the piece showcases Blake’s meticulous linear detail and unique visionary approach to Biblical scripture, representing a high point in the art of the United Kingdom during the early nineteenth century.
Plate 19 depicts the renewed and prosperous Job, having endured his trials, surrounded by his family and friends. The scene illustrates the moment of his restoration, as he receives gifts of money and jewels, symbolizing the culmination of his suffering and his ultimate redemption through faith. Blake, a central figure in British Romanticism, interpreted the Job narrative not merely as a test of endurance, but as a profound journey toward spiritual realization. The characteristic symmetry and spiritual dynamism evident in the design reflect the artist’s unique blending of classical and neoclassical forms with his deeply personal mythology.
As a master of the printed form, Blake utilized the precision afforded by engraving to convey subtle variations in light and shadow, defining the figures with sharp, expressive lines that enhance the emotional weight of the scene. The complete series is widely regarded as a pinnacle of the artist’s graphic work and profoundly influenced subsequent generations of printmakers. This particular impression of the Book of Job engraving resides in the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is preserved for scholarly study. Today, due to its age and historical importance, high-resolution prints of this visionary work are widely available through public domain collections worldwide.