The Wrath of Elihu

The Wrath of Elihu by William Blake, executed in 1825, is a profound and intensely dramatic example of the artist's late output, forming a key component of his renowned series illustrating the biblical Book of Job. This print, an intricate engraving rendered on delicate India paper, showcases the intense spiritual drama typical of the British master. Working within the 1801 to 1825 period, Blake utilized the rigorous linear precision of the engraving process to translate his complex divine visions into tangible form, relying on dense cross-hatching to model the figures and generate dramatic contrasts of light and shadow.

The subject centers on the character Elihu, the youngest of Job’s companions, whose sudden appearance and passionate condemnation of Job’s self-pity precedes God's intervention in the narrative. Blake often emphasized the human form under divine influence; here, Elihu appears charged with righteous anger, his posture dynamic against the static, suffering figures of Job and his three elderly friends who recoil or gaze upward in response to his wrath. The composition employs swirling lines and ethereal lighting characteristic of Romantic-era interpretations of scripture.

This work highlights Blake's final stylistic refinement, moving towards simplified, monumental forms that amplify spiritual intensity over fussy detail. Many of the late prints produced by Blake demonstrate a focused technique, prioritizing clarity and mystical symbolism. The powerful emotionalism and meticulous execution evident in The Wrath of Elihu secure its place as a cornerstone of late Blake production. This exceptional example of British graphic art is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of its age and profound cultural significance, the original copper plates for Blake’s illustrations, or high-quality prints derived from them, are now widely available in the public domain, ensuring global access to the vision of this idiosyncratic genius.