The Book of Job: Pl. 6, And smote Job with sore Boils / from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head by William Blake is a powerful example of 19th-century British printmaking. Created in 1825, this influential work is an engraving, executed using the deeply symbolic lines and compositions characteristic of the artist's late style. Blake produced this renowned series, based on the biblical Book of Job, late in his career while residing in the United Kingdom.
This specific plate illustrates the moment of Job's profound suffering, where he is afflicted by painful boils, stretching "from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head." Blake often infused his biblical illustrations with a mystical intensity, focusing not just on narrative fidelity but on universal psychological and spiritual struggle. The technical complexity inherent in the engraving medium allows for a highly detailed and emotionally charged rendering of the central figure's physical and mental anguish.
The complete set of the Book of Job engravings is widely regarded as a major achievement in the artist's oeuvre. While originally conceived as limited edition prints, the immense cultural influence of Blake's vision ensures their accessibility today, with many high-resolution examples residing in the public domain for research and study. This particular impression of The Book of Job: Pl. 6 is preserved in the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, representing a vital contribution to British Romantic art history.
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