*Illustrations to the Book of Job, William Blake (1757–1827)
The Book of Job, an ancient text in the Bible, has been a popular theme in art history for centuries. Its timeless story of suffering, resilience, and faith resonates with people across cultures and generations, making it a powerful source of inspiration for artists. In recent years, the theme of Job has taken on new meaning for me in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected me in ways that are both similar to and different from the experiences described in the Book of Job.
In the story of Job, a righteous man is tested by God, who allows Satan to afflict him with numerous misfortunes, including the loss of his wealth, children, and health. Through his trials, Job struggles to maintain his faith and trust in God, despite a clear explanation for his suffering. The themes of suffering, resilience, and faith are universal, and they have inspired countless works of art throughout history, from paintings and sculptures to operas and films.
From Personal Struggles to Artistic Inspiration: The Backstory Behind 'Job's Lament'
Life after getting my university degree in 2016 had not been kind to me. I took a job at a marketing company and felt I was giving up on my dream of becoming an artist. It seemed like real life was just a series of unfortunate events. Nevertheless, after many hardships, things were starting to look better. After a multi-year period of creative block due to depression, I finally felt like I was being born again. At the end of 2019, I found myself full of energy and creativity and felt like it was about to come pouring out of the pores on my skin.
I decided to quit my full-time job and become an entrepreneur. My perspective was positive, I had started my own marketing agency and people were reacting very well to my work. I started painting in my free time as a hobby mostly to keep my creative cravings in check.
Then in February 2020, News about a weird virus in China started reaching me… Every day I went to the coronavirus subreddit where they posted the numbers of deaths and infections. It was a matter of time before the virus reached my corner of the world, I thought. Then March came and D-day happened. The global lockdowns started being implemented, lost 3 thirds of my digital agency's clients in the span of 2 days, and being on the brink of going out of business, art became my coping mechanism. It was then that, without realizing it, I began to paint a black-and-white figure of a naked man from behind, resting one hand on a wall. This painting became a metaphor for my own struggle, and the process of creating it helped me find beauty in the midst of adversity.
Exploring the Timeless Themes of Job: A Quick Journey Through Art History
There have been many works of art inspired by the Book of Job throughout history, in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, literature, music, and film. Many great painters have been inspired by the Book of Job, including Michelangelo, Rubens, and Blake. Aside from Michelangelo's depiction of Job in the Sistine Chapel, William Blake's series of engravings, "Illustrations of the Book of Job," are perhaps the graphical depictions of The Book of Job that most come to mind when I think about the subject. It is celebrated for its imaginative and powerful depictions of the characters and events in the story.
*Illustrations to the Book of Job, William Blake (1757–1827)
But the main inspiration for my painting is a haunting and powerful song called “Job’s Lament” by Canadian post-rock band “GodSpeed! You Black Emperor”. The song is built around a lush, orchestral soundscape that creates a sense of overwhelming raw emotion, capturing the anguish and anger that Job expresses in his own lamentations.
My Interpretation of Job's Lament: A Personal Exploration Through Pixelated Oil on Canvas
*"Job's Lament", Rodrigo Mendez (2020)
My Painting “Job’s Lament” is a 1.75 x 1 meters Black and White Oil Painting. To this day it has been exhibited several times, and it is always the center of attention.
While Job is usually depicted as an old frail man. And in his most vulnerable moments, his lamentations, he is full of angst and despair, he is almost always depicted sitting or laying down. My Job, on the other hand, is a young man, I wanted to show despair, chaos, and anxiety in the brushstrokes and the unevenness of each pixel. Nonetheless… even though he is at his most vulnerable, he is naked, looking at the floor and giving us his back. His body and posture are strong, he is ready to face the challenges life is about to throw at him, almost like Michelangelo's David about to face Goliath.
*David of Michelangelo (1501–1504) / "Job's Lament", Rodrigo Mendez (2020)
The 2020 pandemic brought unprecedented levels of suffering and uncertainty. The pandemic has taken a toll on people's health, relationships, and finances, and it has caused widespread fear, anxiety, and grief. At the same time, the pandemic has inspired acts of kindness, generosity, and courage, as people come together to support one another and fight against the virus. During the lockdowns, My art started to receive an unprecedented amount of attention, so much so that eventually I was able to close down the agency and focus on art completely.
I don’t consider myself a religious man. But I do consider myself a very spiritual individual. The Book of Job remains a relevant and powerful theme, especially in light of the recent pandemic. Through its timeless story of suffering, resilience, and faith, the Book of Job speaks to the human condition and offers comfort and hope in difficult times. I wish I was able to express the complexities of suffering and resilience through my art.
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