Blake's Vision of the Book of Job, With Reproductions of the Illustrations: A Study,

by Joseph Hartley Wicksteed

A thoroughly documented rigorously researched analysis of Blake's conception of the Biblical allegory of the just man whose faith in God is tested by numerous calamities. ILLUS. THIS TITLE IS CITED AND RECOMMENDED Books for College Libraries; Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature.

168 pages, Library Binding

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am only half way through but Wicksteed is a marvelous interpretor of Blake. If you ever wanted to be taken step by step through Blake's symbology he is your man - and it was first published in 1910. I am delving into Blake more and more as he will feature in a book I'm writing about modern art, angst and redemption. Wicksteed was the first to recognise the symbolism of left and right in Blake's scheme.

The copy I have is hardback, Dent & Sons with better than average black and white prints. Colour versions can be located online.

The book I referred to above is on hold while I write one about Blake's Book of Job and Buddhism, especially how Job can be seen as a exemplar for those of us who have experienced despair/mental health issues.
I cannot recommend Wicksteed's book too highly; his insight into Blake's Job engravings is remarkable and essential for a real understanding of the complex issues the engravings depict.

[Ben Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

First published in 1910, I believe this was the first book-length study of Blake's Job illustrations. It is a masterful work, combining meticulous readings of Blake's designs with sane and balanced conclusions. Unlike some of the other commentaries I've looked at, Wicksteed doesn't just comment on individual details but also advances a strong thesis: that "the inward life of Job is the real theme of the book" (p. 51). Although there is an abundance of more recent work on Blake's Job illustrations, this pioneering study is still well worth reading.