Job’s Sacrifice

Editor: So, this is William Blake's "Job's Sacrifice," an engraving. It feels incredibly dramatic, almost theatrical. What stands out to you in terms of the material production of this piece? Curator: Well, notice the emphasis on labor. The etching process itself, the meticulous work with acid and metal, speaks to a deliberate engagement with craft. Blake, as a printer, controlled the means of production, challenging the art establishment of his time. How does this materiality affect your reading of the image? Editor: I see your point. Knowing he controlled the printing impacts my reading of the image. Thank you.