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Rodrigo Méndez

Finding Resilience in Adversity: Reflections on 'Job's Lament'


*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.