The Book of Job: Pl. 20, There were not found Women fair as the Daughters of Job / in all the Land by William Blake, created in 1825, is one of the most celebrated compositions in the history of British printmaking. This finished engraving, produced late in Blake’s career, serves as the triumphant conclusion to his powerful visual interpretation of the biblical narrative. The complete series represents one of the major artistic achievements of the Romantic era in the United Kingdom, fusing spiritual fervor with masterful graphic technique.
The specific scene depicted on Plate 20 marks the spiritual and earthly restoration of Job. After his period of intense suffering, Job and his wife are shown listening to their three new daughters, emphasizing the familial harmony and divine grace that has returned to the household. Blake presents the figures in a tightly structured, classical arrangement, yet infused with his characteristic visionary energy. The daughters are positioned centrally, described in the biblical passage as unmatched in fairness, symbolizing beauty rooted in spiritual purity. Blake often utilized meticulous line work in his prints to convey intense spiritual and emotional states; here, the intricate details around the figures suggest the profound divine favor that has been bestowed upon Job, symbolizing the reward for unwavering faith.
As a master of intaglio processes, Blake executed this piece using sophisticated engraving techniques, ensuring wide distribution and accessibility of his visual sermons. Though many of Blake’s mythological or prophetic compositions remain esoteric, his The Book of Job engravings are widely recognized and highly influential in the history of graphic art. This print exemplifies the profound moral and aesthetic considerations that governed Blake’s late period output. Today, this significant work is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving a vital component of British artistic history.
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