William Blake – Satan Smiting Job with Sore Boils Tate Britain (London)

The composition presents a dramatic and unsettling scene dominated by a central figure wielding a serpentine stream of liquid upon a prostrate form. The dominant color palette is one of stark contrasts: dusky blues and purples in the sky clash with earthy yellows and browns across the foreground, while pinks and reds highlight the wings of the imposing figure.
Here we see a muscular male figure, seemingly winged, positioned centrally within the frame. His posture conveys exertion and aggression; he leans forward, his arm extended as if delivering a forceful blow. The liquid emanating from his hand appears viscous and unsettling, cascading over the body below. His expression is one of intense concentration, bordering on ecstasy or madness.
Below him lies a figure seemingly overwhelmed by the onslaught. This individual is draped in simple white garments, their posture suggesting defeat and suffering. Their face is obscured, adding to the sense of anonymity and universalizing the experience of pain. The body appears contorted, emphasizing vulnerability and helplessness.
The background establishes a landscape that is both expansive and oppressive. A turbulent sky suggests an atmosphere charged with divine or demonic power. A distant horizon line hints at a potential for redemption or escape, yet remains inaccessible within the immediate context of suffering.
Several subtexts emerge from this visual narrative. The act of inflicting pain upon another raises questions about justice, divine will, and the nature of evil. The figure administering the punishment is not presented as monstrous in appearance but rather as possessing a disturbing beauty and strength, suggesting that cruelty can be intertwined with allure or even perceived righteousness. The obscured face of the afflicted individual invites contemplation on the universality of suffering and the potential for resilience in the face of adversity. The landscape itself seems to mirror the emotional turmoil of the scene, contributing to an overall sense of unease and profound questioning.