The Doré Bible Gallery, Complete / Containing One Hundred Superb Illustrations, and a Page of Explanatory Letter-press Facing Each

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

8710

Title

The Doré Bible Gallery, Complete / Containing One Hundred Superb Illustrations, and a Page of Explanatory Letter-press Facing Each

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents Gustave Doré's iconic engravings illustrating the Bible, featuring superb imagery facing explanatory letter-press. Celebrating the artist's genius in depicting sacred themes from Creation to Revelation, it offers a choice collection for art-loving students and admirers of Doré's magic touch.

Summary up to 500 words

Gustave Doré's *The Doré Bible Gallery* stands as a monumental collection of one hundred superb illustrations that capture the entire biblical narrative, from the Creation of Eve to the Apocalypse. Originally conceived to make these designs accessible to admirers who could not afford the original costly work, this volume serves as both a visual treasure-house and a profound study in sacred art. The collection is paired with narrative letter-press that analyzes each design, offering a faithful representation of Scripture through Doré's unparalleled artistic vision. The work covers the full sweep of biblical history, beginning with the Expulsion from the Garden and the Murder of Abel, moving through the lives of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon. It vividly portrays dramatic scenes such as the Destruction of Sodom, the Trials of Abraham, the Ministry of Jesus, the Crucifixion, and the Ascension. Doré's versatility is on full display; his genius captures nature's wild beauty, the grotesque, the grand, and the comic. His early wanderings in the Vosges mountains developed an inherent tendency to interpret nature in its varying moods, from peaceful stretches of soft cloud to angry storms. Doré's reputation rests solely upon his work as an illustrator, having raised illustrative art to a dignity and importance before unknown. His delineations of character, from the horrible to the comic, attest to his multifarious gifts. The text highlights his ability to bring the beauties of great literary works into clearer view, warming them to a fuller life. The gallery includes iconic moments such as Elijah's ascent in a chariot of fire, the death of Jezebel, Esther confounding Haman, and the conversion of Saul. It also features the Nativity, the Sermon on the Mount, the Good Samaritan, and the Resurrection of Lazarus. The collection concludes with the Fourth Seal and the pale horse of Death from Revelation. Originally published to meet the felt want of a wider circle of M. Doré's admirers, this work was projected to provide a volume of choice and valuable designs upon sacred subjects for art-loving Biblical students. The aim was to introduce subjects of general interest relating to the most prominent events and personages of Scripture. To each cut is prefixed a page of letter-press in narrative form, containing a brief analysis of the design. The work was under the careful scrutiny of artists and scholars, ensuring its general plan and execution would render it acceptable to both appreciative patrons and those wishing to possess a choice collection of illustrations upon sacred themes. Through Doré's magic touch, the volume offers a rich and facile rendering of almost every thought that stirs in the human heart, making it a definitive study in sacred art.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Religion