Illustration to Book of Job 

This Illustration to the Book of Job was created by William Blake and presents the tragic figure of Job, surrounded by symbols of despair and supplication. Note the raised hands of Job's companions, a gesture reaching back to ancient Roman orators and forward to modern expressions of grief. The motif of uplifted hands, a universal plea for divine intervention, echoes through time from the classical world to medieval religious art. Think of early Christian frescoes depicting orants with their arms raised, a symbol of prayer. This gesture resurfaces in moments of extreme human emotion, an appeal to forces beyond our understanding. It's a poignant expression of helplessness and longing that taps into our collective subconscious. In Blake's image, this gesture is a potent signifier of the eternal human struggle with suffering and faith, resonating across cultures and epochs.