The Illustrations of the Book of Job was Blake's last great creative work. He had begun to use images more than text. Blake's Job is almost all image and Scripture.
Job 1
[6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
[7] And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
[8] And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
[9] Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
[10] Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
[11] But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
[12] And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Blake engraved images to illustrate the Book of Job late in life with the encouragement of his friend John Linnell. As the text he chose to use quotations of passages from the Bible.
The bottom third of the picture shows Job resting quietly with his family. The central image is of Satan. The top third shows the Almighty resting on his throne and listening to a complaint from one of the 'sons of God', namely Satan.
This from www.blakearchive.org:
"Job sits with his family lower center, holding a book or tablet and gesturing with his right hand. His wife is to the left, holding on open book on her lap. Six of Job's children sit, lie, and stand on the right; one holds a scroll, two others hold opened books. The seated figures are supported by an odd bench with gothic tracery and niches. The most prominent niche contains a sleeping dog; to the right are books. Two winged angels hover lower left; both hold scrolls. Behind the family group are three trees with vines entwined around their trunks. A flock of sheep grazes in the left middle distance; behind them is a mountain peak. Another complex figure group appears in the heavens above, partly contained within cloud bands left and right. At the top sits God with a halo behind his head and upper body and an open book on his lap. He points downward with his right index finger to Satan, who hovers, striding vigorously to the left, in flames. Also in the fire are the faces of Job and his wife. Four angels hover on the left side of the group; one deposits a scroll before God's throne-like chair, another holds an open book. These figures are balanced by a group of five on the right, including another angel placing a scroll before God and another holding a scroll."
No comments:
Post a Comment