The artwork “Job Mocked by His Wife” was executed by Georges de la Tour, a French Baroque painter known for his masterly use of chiaroscuro and tenebrism—an art movement defined by dramatic illumination. Created in the period circa 1632 to circa 1635, this oil on canvas measures 97 by 145 centimeters. The painting falls under the category of religious paintings, depicting a scene drawn from the biblical narrative of Job.
In the depiction, the emaciated figure of Job is seated, appearing gaunt and diminished, with signs of his afflictions evident upon his body. Job’s expression is solemn and introspective, possibly reflecting his profound suffering and patience. By contrast, his wife towers over him, cloaked in a garment that exudes a vivid sense of materiality and weight. She gesticulates emphatically with one hand – a gesture that may imply scorn or derision, as suggested by the artwork’s title. Her other hand stabilizes a candle, which is the principal source of light in the composition. The candle’s flame pierces the surrounding darkness, symbolizing both the illuminating power of faith amidst despair and the intense scrutiny under which Job’s character is placed. The stark illumination heightens the contrast between light and shadow, a characteristic technique of tenebrism, which in turn amplifies the emotional intensity of the scene.
The figure’s interaction and the high contrast lighting are crafted skillfully to evoke the gravity of the biblical tale, resonating with themes of human suffering, fidelity, and redemption.
