Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord

Art Historical Context

William Blake's *Satan Going Forth from Presence of the Lord*1825) is a captivating engraving from his monumental series *Illustrations of the Book Job*, drawing directly from the biblical narrative in Job 1:6-12. Created in the final years of Blake's life, this work captures the dramatic moment when Satan departs from God's presence to afflict the righteous Job, embodying Blake's profound fascination with spiritual conflict, divine judgment, and human suffering. As a visionary artist of the Romantic era, Blake his imagery with mystical symbolism, blending intricate line work with ethereal figures to evoke the sublime tension between heaven and earthly torment. Printed as an engraving on thick laid paper using Blake's innovative relief etching technique—a method he pioneered that combined drawing, writing, and printing in a single process—this piece exemplifies his mastery of the medium. The dense, swirling compositions and glowing highlights create a sense of otherworldly energy, distinguishing Blake's prints from conventional engraving's mechanical precision. Produced in a limited edition of 215 sets, these Job illustrations represent the apex of his graphic art, self-published at age 68 amid personal hardship. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection (Department CG-E, Portfolio classification), this engraving invites visitors to ponder timeless themes of faith and adversity. Blake's work continues to resonate for its raw emotional power and innovative artistry, bridging poetry, prophecy, and visual storytelling.

About the Artist

William Blake · 1757–1827

William Blake (1757–1827) stands as one of the most visionary and unconventional artists in British history, a poet-painter-printmaker whose mystical imagination and radical vision profoundly shaped the Romantic movement. Born in London's Soho district, Blake experienced visions from childhood—claiming to see angels in trees at age eight—and these spiritual encounters would guide his art throughou...