Who painted The Book of Job: Pl. 21, So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job?

The Book of Job: Pl. 21, So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job was painted by William Blake in 1825.

Where can I see The Book of Job: Pl. 21, So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job?

The Book of Job: Pl. 21, So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Book of Job: Pl. 21, So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job?

The Book of Job: Pl. 21, So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Book of Job: Pl. 21, So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job

William Blake , 1825

The Book of Job: Pl. 21, So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job 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

This 1825 print by William Blake is part of a series illustrating the biblical Book of Job, characterized by dense symbolism and imaginative imagery. It depicts a dramatic scene with robed figures, animals, and an altar, incorporating the biblical text *"So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than the beginning."*

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates a moment of divine blessing and restoration from the Book of Job. Central figures, including a staff-holding woman, convey themes of redemption and divine justice, reflecting Blake's exploration of human suffering and faith.

Technique & Style

Executed in black-and-white, the print showcases Blake's distinctive printmaking technique. The composition features flowing robes, contrasting light and shadow, and symbolic elements (animals, altar), evoking a dreamy, intense atmosphere aligned with early 19th-century Romantic aesthetics.

History & Provenance

Created in 1825, this work is among Blake's late graphic productions. Part of a dedicated series on Job, it exemplifies his late-career engagement with biblical themes through innovative printmaking.

Context

This work reflects Blake's broader artistic and philosophical preoccupations within the context of early 19th-century Romanticism in London, where symbolic, imaginative, and emotionally charged art flourished.

Legacy

As part of Blake's Job series, the print contributes to his enduring legacy in combining poetry, painting, and printmaking to explore profound theological and humanist themes, influencing subsequent artistic and literary movements.