The Vision of Eliphaz 1825 - 1826

This is William Blake's 1825 engraving, "The Vision of Eliphaz". At its heart, it depicts a spectral figure radiating light, an apparition that causes the hair to stand on end. This is the spirit that appeared to Eliphaz, a figure from the Book of Job. Notice the spirit’s pose, hands clasped in front, and his ethereal glow. This posture echoes depictions of ancient prophets and seers, figures who straddle the mortal and divine realms. Think of the countless images of saints and oracles throughout history, each bearing a similar aura of otherworldly knowledge and authority. This gesture of holding one's hands can be found as far back as ancient Egypt. But here, Blake twists the trope. The spirit brings not comfort but a chilling reminder of human frailty before the divine. The figures below recoil in fear, a primal response to the uncanny. Blake taps into a deep well of collective anxiety, the unease that arises when confronted with the unknown.