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The Doré Bible Illustrations
Nowhere but in the Bible were dramatic textual material and the artistry of Gustave Doré more perfectly matched. The Book of Books seemed to unleash a new power of creation in Doré not apparent in his previous work. In the Creation scenes, the horrifying visions of the Flood, the battle sequences with their monumental crowds, the plates depicting the life of Jesus — many of which have now become the standard iconography — and finally the vision of the New Jerusalem, Doré reached the fullest expressions of his extraordinary talent.
This book collects all 241 plates — long out of print — that Doré executed for the Bible. In these plates, reproduced from outstanding early editions, the artist not only captures the dramatic intensity of the Scriptures, but sustains it longer than any other single artist was able to do. In addition, Doré reimagined all the scenes, so that what he produced was not a mere reworking of what centuries of other artists had already done, but a new and fresh visual interpretation of the Bible.
Each plate is accompanied by the verses from the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible that the scene depicts, and an Introduction by Millicent Rose covers Doré's life and art in general. This is a sumptuous book that everyone, from those interested in Scripture to lovers of great art, will be proud to possess.
This book collects all 241 plates — long out of print — that Doré executed for the Bible. In these plates, reproduced from outstanding early editions, the artist not only captures the dramatic intensity of the Scriptures, but sustains it longer than any other single artist was able to do. In addition, Doré reimagined all the scenes, so that what he produced was not a mere reworking of what centuries of other artists had already done, but a new and fresh visual interpretation of the Bible.
Each plate is accompanied by the verses from the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible that the scene depicts, and an Introduction by Millicent Rose covers Doré's life and art in general. This is a sumptuous book that everyone, from those interested in Scripture to lovers of great art, will be proud to possess.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1866
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450 people want to read
About the author
Gustave Doré
1,179 books193 followersThe most popular and successful French book illustrator of the mid 19th century. Doré became very widely known for his illustrations to such books as Dante's Inferno (1861), Don Quixote (1862), and the Bible (1866), and he helped to give European currency to the illustrated book of large . He was so prolific that at one time he employed more than forty blockcutters. His work is characterized by a rather naïve but highly spirited love of the grotesque and represents a commercialization of the Romantic taste for the bizarre. Drawings of London done in 1869-71 were more sober studies of the poorer quarters of the city and captured the attention of van Gogh. In the 1870s he also took up painting (doing some large and ambitions religious works) and sculpture (the monument to the dramatist and novelist Alexandre Dumas in the Place Malesherbes in Paris, erected in 1883, is his work).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 21, 2013
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.
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.
November 8, 2008
most awesomest book of all time.
May 31, 2024
Great illustrations! I love Dore work!
March 15, 2020
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.
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.
July 18, 2017
This Gustave Doré Illustrated edition of the Bible is wonderful. The illustrations are superb, so inspiring, and the Bible extracts marry totally with the drawings by Gustave Doré.
I absolutely recommend it! I am sure it has been translated into many languages with these Gustave Doré illustrations. And it covers the whole Bible, with great detail into the Old Testament.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 18 July 2017.
I absolutely recommend it! I am sure it has been translated into many languages with these Gustave Doré illustrations. And it covers the whole Bible, with great detail into the Old Testament.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 18 July 2017.
May 12, 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.
March 19, 2017
Beautiful. Nothing even comes close.
March 19, 2018
Beautiful, almost effortlessly so.
March 31, 2018
Some of the finest artwork ever produced that can be appreciated by all faiths for its beauty and drama
May 19, 2025
Ja den är ju såklart helt genial!
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May 28, 2024De afbeeldingen zijn schitterend.
September 12, 2022
A classic. I'll give this a 10 star if I could. If you love the Bible, find a copy of this! If not, find an ebook or google it. I grew up with the Bible, and reading illustrated Bible has been one of my favorite pastime hobbies when I was little. These illustrations by Dore is unbeatable, better than anything I've seen. Probably the only ones that come close to competing is Rembrandt's Bible illustrations or some other classical paintings.
April 9, 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.
September 19, 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.
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March 29, 2012hoorrayyy thank you free book shelf.
February 8, 2015
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams
-Acts 2:17
-Acts 2:17
December 20, 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.
August 24, 2023
Dore’s peek into his world
Gustave’s exceptional effectness in conjuring each scene with such awesome mastery of his craft. Unbelievable even after all these many many years.
Gustave’s exceptional effectness in conjuring each scene with such awesome mastery of his craft. Unbelievable even after all these many many years.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews