Doré's Angels

by Gustave Doré

One of the greatest book illustrators of all time, nineteenth-century artist Gustave Doré was particularly noted for his brilliantly imaginative scenes of fantasy and the fantastic.
Angels, among his most frequently portrayed characters, were inspired, visually stunning creations. This collection reproduces dozens of these celestial beings, all dramatically illustrated and originally drawn for such great works of literature as the Bible, Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Michaud's History of the Crusades, Dante's Divine Comedy, and Milton's classic, Paradise Lost.
Imaginative and richly detailed, these remarkable illustrations are ideal for use by graphic artists and craftworkers, but will also be treasured by lovers of fine art.

Genres: Art

80 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2004

About the author

The 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).

Reviews

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely collection of engravings was interesting to me because angels have such varied significance, depending on which story you're hearing. We mostly associate angels with protection and comfort, but sometimes they're bad news, too. The collection of engravings from the Bible show both comforting, guardian angels ("Elijah Nourished by an Angel," "The Agony in the Garden") as well as destroying angels ("The Firstborn Slain," "Destruction of the Army of Sennacherib"). The engravings from the Crusades also show angels leading European forces to war ("The Road to Jerusalem," "The Departure from Aigues-Mortes").

Dore doesn't try glossing over the fact that angels participate in some really troubling and horrific tales, especially in his biblical engravings. But he doesn't seem to be passing judgment on whether or not that was good or bad, but is simply illustrating the story as he sees it. There is a lot of discussion out there about the horrors of the Bible and the Crusades and all the violence attached to religion. I don't think we have to approve of the Crusades to admire Dore's skill in illustrating them, nor do I think his illustrations are him stating his approval of them either - look at all of his Crusades engravings and you'll see mostly the horrors and sorrows of war, where both sides committed atrocities and that people on both sides deserve our sympathy.

This collection really is a great mix that really captures the varied functions of angels in our mythology, theology, history, and literature. My only wish is that Dore's closing image from London: A Pilgrimage, "The Angel and the Orphan," had been included in this collection. It's perhaps the most tender angel image that Dore ever did and it's a shame it isn't included here. That aside, Dore fans will not be disappointed with this collection.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Influential illustrations.

[Merilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunningly beautiful!