The Wrath of Elihu

"The Wrath of Elihu" is a powerful engraving on thin paper created by the visionary British artist William Blake in 1825. Produced late in Blake's career, this work exemplifies the highly personalized style of Romantic printmaking prevalent during the 1801 to 1825 period. Blake’s technique relies heavily on the precise yet expressive capabilities of engraving, allowing him to convey intense spiritual drama through stark, defined lines rather than through tonal gradation.

Blake frequently drew inspiration from biblical narratives, especially the Book of Job, which provided a rich framework for exploring themes of divine judgment, human suffering, and eventual revelation. The composition captures the moment of Elihu’s impassioned intervention, the young man who speaks just before God answers Job out of the whirlwind. Blake portrays the figure with dynamic posture and an expression conveying profound conviction, bordering on wrath, perfectly aligning the visual intensity with the challenging nature of the text.

Unlike purely conventional illustration, Blake uses the medium of this print to achieve intense psychological and spiritual depth. His handling of line emphasizes the visionary quality of his entire artistic output, prioritizing metaphysical drama over purely naturalistic representation. The intensity of the subject is expertly matched by the sharp clarity of the engraving technique, which stands as a critical example of his mature style.

This exceptional piece of graphic art is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Classified as a Portfolio piece, the artwork highlights Blake's profound contribution to British art history. While the original engraving is a delicate artifact, the continued interest in Blake's spiritual narratives ensures that high-quality prints and reproductions of this iconic work remain widely studied today.