Everyone Also Gave Him a Piece of Money (The Book of Job) 1821

Editor: This is William Blake's "Everyone Also Gave Him a Piece of Money (The Book of Job)". It's a somber watercolor piece. The figures have such elongated forms. What do you see in this piece through a formal lens? Curator: Note how Blake employs line to define the figures, yet their forms are not fully realized, giving them an ethereal quality. How does this intentional lack of clear definition contribute to your understanding? Editor: I think it makes them appear almost otherworldly, heightening the sense of sorrow. Curator: Precisely. Consider too the muted palette. The subdued colors evoke a sense of melancholy, a prevalent emotional register in Blake’s works. It's all quite deliberate, isn't it? Editor: Yes, I'm starting to see how every element contributes to this overall feeling. Thanks!