Artwork

The Book of Job: Pl. 3, Thy Sons and thy Daughters were eating and drinking Wine in their

The Book of Job: Pl. 3, Thy Sons and thy Daughters were eating and drinking Wine in their 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 his illustrated series based on the biblical Book of Job. It depicts a chaotic, symbolic scene of destruction and terror, characteristic of Blake's visionary style.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates the biblical story of a catastrophic event where a house collapses, killing the occupants, including Job's children. The image conveys sudden disaster and fear, transcending a literal religious interpretation to evoke a sense of nightmare.

Technique & Style

Blake employed sharp lines, heavy shading, and a dominant, giant winged figure to create a dramatic and intense visual effect. The style is emblematic of his Romantic-era, symbolically charged graphic work.

History & Provenance

Created in 1825, this print is from Blake's later period, when he was established in London as a poet, painter, and printmaker. His work would later cement his status as a central figure in Romantic visual art and literature.

Context

Part of a series illustrating the Book of Job, this print reflects Blake's engagement with religious themes through a highly personal, imaginative lens, characteristic of his artistic approach.