The Book of Job: Pl. 5, Then went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord

The Book of Job: Pl. 5, Then went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord by William Blake is a powerful engraving created in 1825. This masterpiece, one of twenty-one plates interpreting the biblical Book of Job, represents the culmination of Blake’s lifelong exploration of spiritual, moral, and artistic themes. As an important figure in the cultural history of the United Kingdom, Blake infused this late-career work with deep religious and symbolic weight.

This specific print captures the dramatic moment described in the scripture when God grants Satan permission to test Job’s faith. The composition is starkly divided: in the upper realm, the enthroned Lord sits surrounded by serene angels, while in the center, Satan descends rapidly away from the heavenly presence and into the lower atmosphere, his body defined by energetic, muscular forms. Blake utilizes the precision of the engraving technique to emphasize the contrast between the rigid order of Heaven and the dark, descending chaos of temptation.

The series is often considered one of Blake’s most successful applications of printmaking, demonstrating his ability to combine intricate line work with monumental visionary scope. The emotional intensity conveyed through the figures makes the Job illustrations enduringly popular within art history. Today, the influence of Blake’s work remains significant, and while the original engravings are held in major institutions, high-quality prints of this influential piece are often available through public domain collections. This specific impression is proudly housed in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.