Blessed are the poor in spirit. Job receiving the ill news of his misfortune 1564 - 1567

Editor: This is “Blessed are the poor in spirit. Job receiving the ill news of his misfortune,” an engraving made sometime between 1564 and 1567 by Harmen Jansz. Muller. The detail is incredible! There's so much happening in one print. What’s your take on the way Muller uses light and shadow to convey emotion here? Curator: Oh, the Muller! A complex, layered image indeed. Notice how the engraving style, with its dense network of lines, creates a sense of unease, mirroring Job's internal turmoil. The figures seem caught between classical ideals and Mannerist contortions—that stylistic push-and-pull, along with the architectural setting reminiscent of a stage, enhances the drama, don’t you think? There's a theatricality at play. Editor: I see what you mean. So, it’s not just about depicting a scene from the Bible but also about creating a certain… mood? Curator: Exactly! And look at how the figures are arranged: Job is enthroned, yet utterly vulnerable. The messengers seem almost to erupt from a chaotic background—it feels like they bring news from a world in flames, metaphorically and maybe literally. Doesn't the artist emphasize that divine judgment is merciless? Editor: That contrast between Job's stillness and the messenger's action definitely amplifies the dramatic tension. And the burning background is truly apocalyptic. Curator: It is! I always think, does this portrayal encourage the viewer to consider our own resilience in the face of adversity, or simply fear divine retribution? Editor: Interesting. I came in thinking it was just a historical depiction, but now it feels much more… contemporary in its exploration of human suffering. Thanks for that new angle! Curator: Anytime. Art has that power, to shift perspectives, across centuries.