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Job on the Dung Heap

Creator

French Illuminator · 1457–1521

Over the course of a career that lasted nearly forty years, Jean Bourdichon served as official court painter to four successive French kings: Louis XI, Charles VIII, Louis XII, and François I. As court painter, he designed stained glass windows, coins, and gold plate, illuminated manuscripts, and executed independent paintings. Charles VIII set up a workshop for him in his castle at Plessis-lès-To

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Date: about 1480–1485
Medium: Tempera colors, gold, and ink
Culture: French
Department: Manuscripts
Institution: Getty Museum

The ailing Job, having suffered many afflictions, including the loss of his children, his riches, and even his health, is reduced to resting on a reeking heap of dung. The course of events in this Old Testament story began when God asked Satan if he had noticed the piety of the good man Job. Satan replied that it was easy for a successful and happy man to be faithful. God then took away Job's worldly comforts one by one to test his faith. In the end, Job recognized that he could not fathom God's workings, only submit in humility to his decrees.

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