Detail View: Rylands Collection: Job's Sacrifice

Image Number: 
JRL1215649
Reference Number: 
R44332
Link to Catalogue: 
Image Title: 
Job's Sacrifice
Parent Work Title: 
Illustrations of the Book of Job
Creator: 
Blake, William, 1757-1827
Creator Role: 
Illustrator
Date Created: 
1825
Publication Details: 
London: Published by William Blake
Page/Sheet: 
Plate 18
Image Sequence Number: 
018
Description: 
Single line engraving in black ink. This image is paying homage to the triumph of Job over his arduous trials. He is placed centrally with his lean and sinewy arms outstretched in a pose of the crucifix before a flaming altar-type structure. The central flame is concentrated to a thin taper which is cut-off at the top edge of the illustration, suggesting an eternal ascendency into the blazing heliotrope that illuminates the entire image. Plumes of smoke following the lines of Job's powerful stance filter out of the edge of the image into the border and playfully morph into six winged spirits before arcing round and completing a full circle – this circle begins and ends with Job, signifying the completing of his growth cycle and the end of his trials. This is testified by the single sentence that Blake includes within the giant Halo: 'Also the Lord accepted Job'. At the bottom edge of the plate Blake has included an artist's palette and brushes. This might allude to the divine status of the artist within the recounting and representing of this story.
Language Code: 
eng-GB
Subject: 
Bible. Old Testament
Category of Material: 
Printed
Sub-Category: 
Illustrated works
Technique Used: 
Engraving (printing process)
Medium: 
Ink
Support: 
Paper
Item Height: 
199 mm
Item Width: 
159 mm
Current Repository: 
The University of Manchester Library, U.K.
Rights Holder - Image: 
The University of Manchester Library
Bibliographic Citation: 
Blake, William, 'Illustrations of the Book of Job' (London: published by William Blake, 1825)
Notes: 
21 leaves of plates. The plate descriptions have been supplied by Simon Spier.
Date Captured (yyyy-mm-dd): 
2012-03-20
Multi Page Number: 
135
Image Creation Technique: 
Digital capture by The University of Manchester Library
Date Image Added (yyyy-mm): 
2012-07
Metadata Language: 
eng-GB
Collection Code: 
Rylands