Artwork
The Book of Job: Pl. 18, And my Servant Job shall pray for you
The Book of Job: Pl. 18, And my Servant Job shall pray for you is a work on paper by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1825, this print forms part of William Blake’s late series that visualizes episodes from the biblical Book of Job. Executed as an engraving, the work presents a solemn tableau that reflects Blake’s characteristic blend of poetic and visual imagination, interpreting a moment of prayer within the scriptural narrative.
Subject & Meaning
At the composition’s centre stands a robed figure with arms raised, evoking a posture of supplication. Kneeling before him are three women in headscarves, suggesting a communal act of intercession. The arrangement underscores themes of humility and divine petition that resonate with the Book of Job’s exploration of suffering and faith.
Technique & Style
The image is rendered in a restrained palette of grays, achieved through fine linear engraving. Blake employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated areas around a pointed arch with deep shadows, to give the scene depth and a reverent atmosphere. The precise line work highlights both the architectural setting and the delicate drapery of the figures.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to a set of plates Blake produced toward the end of his career, when he revisited biblical subjects with a more mature visual language. It was issued in a limited portfolio, circulating among Blake’s patrons and later entering museum collections that specialize in Romantic-era prints.
Context
Blake’s engagement with the Book of Job reflects his broader interest in scriptural prophecy and personal revelation. By the 1820s, his artistic practice had shifted from illuminated poetry to a focus on engraved narratives, allowing him to explore theological concepts through stark, symbolic imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.
Job's Sacrifice
The Book of Job: Pl. 5, Then went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord
Job's Sacrifice
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