4.48

3

Dec 26, 2012

Doré did most of his work in the mid-19th Century, and though he was French and Catholic, preferred and often worked commissions for his Victorian neighbors in England. After the completion of the 241-plate Bible, he was criticized for his overuse of drama. This amazes me, since I can't think of a Biblical scene without an excess of drama. Doré's depictions are hardly embellished, if you read the source, but perhaps it's his excess of imagination which frightened critics. At any rate, these Doré did most of his work in the mid-19th Century, and though he was French and Catholic, preferred and often worked commissions for his Victorian neighbors in England. After the completion of the 241-plate Bible, he was criticized for his overuse of drama. This amazes me, since I can't think of a Biblical scene without an excess of drama. Doré's depictions are hardly embellished, if you read the source, but perhaps it's his excess of imagination which frightened critics. At any rate, these plates represent just a small fraction of Doré's prolific work. He drew (and his team engraved) illustrations for over 200 books, averaging 200-400 plates per book.

Funny story. A few of these plates were picked out, painted as posters and displayed in a London courtyard to promote the book. "They drew great crowds and there was nearly a scandal, for one of them represented the Deity, a subject at that time regarded as inadmissible in art in England. The canvas was hurriedly withdrawn and Doré, not at all pleased, joked wryly: 'It did not resemble either my French or my English publisher.'" (p viii) Reminds one of our current trouble with Sunni Muslims forbidding depictions of Muhammed.

Plates 1-139 deal with the Old Testament, 140-160 with the Apocrypha, 161-241 the New Testament. All plates include Doré's signature in the bottom left corner, the engraver's bottom right. H. Pisan is one to look for, as his are superior to the others in detail and shading.

To focus on just one, as an explanation of what makes Doré's depictions great: Plate 7 "The Deluge". It features the last promontory left on the surface of the flooded earth, with drowning people clutching at it and floating along the waves. At the very top of the rock stands a tiger with two cubs at her feet, and she has one in her mouth. She's holding her cub above the water. I'm supposed to be concerned for the people dying below, but the tiger's selflessness puts a lump in my throat. The tiger is not a detail from the text, it's purely the artist's invention. Many of these plates have similar details that lend pathos to the scene without lessening its authenticity.

I recommend this to anyone wishing to learn about woodcutting and lithography. Begin with Albrecht Dürer and end here. ...more

5

May 11, 2018

These engravings were made for a deluxe edition of the Bible. They are excellent examples of Victorian religious art: They are reverent, well executed, and detailed, but never sentimental or idealized. Dore presents people and events of ancient times as he imagines they actually were; this is actually an exhortation to faith--these things are true, he says.

5

Mar 31, 2018

Some of the finest artwork ever produced that can be appreciated by all faiths for its beauty and drama

5

Nov 27, 2016

This is just an incredible illustration book, I find the "fantasy" pieces more interesting than the others but overall this is just high class. The quality of the printing is also good, more on the grayscale but that's ok considering the kind of paper.

And this is just an assumption but I think this Dore's work in particular was a strong influence for the Jehovah's witness's (religious believes apart) books and magazines artworks from the 80's and 90's.

4

Feb 24, 2016

Gustave Dore's illustrations of the English Bible (1866). Two hundred and forty-one black & white illustrations from woodcuts, depicting many Biblical scenes and events, quite a few of which are graphic and gruesome. Below each illustration is the Bible verse or verses that the illustration represents. Excellent.

4

Sep 18, 2008

I bought this to make copies (post copyright material) and put affordable (i.e., cheap) prints on my wall with biblical themes. These are interesting illustrations with lots of action in every print-- sometimes a bit too much stimulation (violence), but some are compelling.

3

Jul 11, 2015

Some great pieces, many, while well executed, nothing special. But that is the fault of the source material. The Bible does not, in any way, deserve this much (or any) attention.

5

Feb 07, 2015

your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams

-Acts 2:17

4

A collection of Gustave Dore's illustrations for the Bible, first published in France in 1865. You don't need to be a believer to appreciate the power and beauty of Dore's art. Of particular beauty ...Full Review