The Vision of Eliphaz Possibly 1825 - 1874

Editor: This is William Blake’s *The Vision of Eliphaz*. I’m struck by the contrast of the luminous figure against the dark, shadowy forms. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Blake, deeply invested in social justice, used biblical imagery, like this scene from the Book of Job, to critique the established Church. Notice how the swirling text frames the central vision. How might that affect the image's interpretation? Editor: It gives it a sense of being revealed, or a warning, perhaps questioning established authority. Curator: Exactly. Blake often challenged traditional power structures through his art, making viewers question their own beliefs. Is there something in the composition that relates to social issues? Editor: I see the people below seem to be in distress. It seems to be a commentary on suffering. Curator: It certainly is. It is fascinating to see the power of historical context influencing our understanding of the visual elements in Blake’s work.