Dimensions image: 198 x 152 mm
Curator: This is William Blake’s "Job Rebuked by his Friends," one of his Illustrations of the Book of Job. It dates to 1825 and is currently held in the Tate collection. Editor: There's a palpable sense of accusation here. The somber figures seem weighted down, even as they point fingers at Job. Curator: The materiality of Blake's prints is fascinating; he combines etching and engraving, layering meaning through the very act of production. The text interwoven with the imagery speaks to the social and spiritual context. Editor: Blake was deeply invested in the role of art as prophecy and social commentary. How do you think the public at the time received such stark imagery? Curator: Blake challenged artistic conventions, using his craft to question authority. His art encouraged viewers to resist dogma and injustice, issues as relevant then as they are now. Editor: His work continues to provoke and challenge us to consider our roles in the face of suffering.
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http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/blake-job-rebuked-by-his-friends-a00021
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This is an illustration to chapter 12, verse 4 of the Book of Job: 'I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the Just upright man is laughed to scorn.' Job endures the mocking of his friends and the rebuke of his wife. Their attitude towards him reflects their impatience with Job's protestations of his innocence, despite the fact that God's punishment of him is an indication of his transgression. The other inscriptions in the margins are statements Job made to his God and which are found elsewhere in the Book of Job. Gallery label, August 1993
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