Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord, and Job’s Charity Possibly 1825 - 1874

Curator:Editor: This is William Blake’s “Satan Going Forth from the Presence of the Lord, and Job’s Charity,” an engraving. The contrast between light and shadow is striking, and the composition feels very dynamic. What do you see in terms of the labor and materials involved in creating this? Curator: Blake was deeply invested in the means of production. He developed his own relief etching process, allowing him to control every aspect of the image's creation. Consider the implications of this DIY approach. How does it challenge the typical boundaries between artist, artisan, and even publisher? Editor: It seems like Blake was reclaiming the means of production. I wonder, how did this affect the accessibility and distribution of his work, and ultimately, its impact on society? Curator: He aimed for wider circulation but faced practical and financial limitations. Still, his artistic choices reflect a conscious engagement with the social and economic structures of his time. Editor: That's a fascinating connection between art and its production! It gives me a new way to look at Blake’s work.