Artwork
Job's Sons and Daughters Overwhelmed by Satan
Job's Sons and Daughters Overwhelmed by Satan is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1825, this engraving by William Blake presents a tumultuous tableau in which figures are beset by a dark, winged presence under a storm‑filled sky. Executed on thick paper, the work showcases Blake’s mature printmaking technique, employing dense black lines and cross‑hatching to convey movement and distress.
Subject & Meaning
The scene alludes to the biblical narrative of Job’s family, depicting his sons and daughters as overwhelmed by a demonic figure that symbolizes Satan. The composition emphasizes human suffering and the chaos that spiritual trials can unleash, reflecting Blake’s interest in the moral and visionary dimensions of scripture.
Technique & Style
Blake carved the image into a metal plate, then transferred it by engraving, a process that allows for fine, intricate line work. The heavy use of chiaroscuro and tightly packed hatching creates stark contrasts, while the swirling forms and exaggerated gestures convey a sense of frantic energy characteristic of his later, fully developed style.
History & Provenance
Produced during the final phase of Blake’s career, the print belongs to his series of “prophetic works,” a body of art and poetry that critics have described as both significant and demanding. Though Blake worked exclusively in London, the piece circulated among his close circle of patrons and fellow mystics before entering public collections.
Context
Blake’s engagement with biblical themes was part of a broader Romantic fascination with the supernatural and the inner life of the imagination. By rendering the torment of Job’s family, he linked personal spiritual struggle with universal questions of suffering, aligning his visual language with contemporary debates about faith and reason.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.
