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 print is one of 21 plates illustrating Blake’s interpretive approach to the biblical Book of Job, a comprehensive project completed late in his career that cemented his legacy in English Romantic art. The work depicts the pivotal theological moment when Satan, having challenged Job’s piety, is given permission by the Lord to test the protagonist’s faith and loyalty.
Blake utilized the exacting medium of engraving to achieve stark contrasts and powerful linear emphasis, key characteristics of his unique visual style. The figures are highly stylized, imbued with a powerful, almost classical musculature that conveys spiritual energy. In this plate, Blake balances the terrifying departure of Satan with the serene yet formidable presence of the divine, framed by an orderly assembly of the heavenly host.
This piece is a definitive example of early 19th-century artistic traditions in the United Kingdom, where Blake combined deeply visionary subject matter with established printmaking techniques. Blake’s masterful control over the engraving process allowed for widespread dissemination of his complex theological narratives. The classification as a print highlights the medium's importance for the artist. This significant work, dating from 1825, resides in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it serves as a central reference for studying Blake’s final contributions to illustration and symbolic art.
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