Gustave Dore, a celebrated French illustrator and engraver of the 19th century, who gained renown for his exquisite drawings that captivated audiences.
The illustrations made by Gustav Dore were defined by intricate details, expert use of light and shade, and vivid portrayals of landscapes, characters, and mythical creatures.
Covering artwork from Dante’s Inferno to the Bible, this article will explore the top 10 stunning Gustave Dore illustrations, that stand testimony to his exceptional talent and artistry which has influenced generations of artists and art enthusiasts alike.
Minos – Judge of the Damned
This Gustave Dore illustration visualizes the second circle of hell. At the entrance to the Second Circle of Hell, Minos takes his stance. Minos, formerly the first king of Crete, now serves as a creature that surveys an unending queue of wrongdoers, assessing their crimes and selecting punishments that match them appropriately.
The spirits reveal their transgressions to Minos, who twists his vast tail into folds around him, signifying the exact level assigned for the soul to proceed. Minos advises Dante and Virgil to be careful before they depart toward their next destination.
Wrestle of Jacob
This Gustave Dore illustration shows Jacob wrestling with an angel as described in 32:22–32 of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible.
During his journey back to Canaan as told in the Genesis narrative, Jacob spent a night alone on a riverside. He had an encounter with an unidentified “man” who wrestled with him until daybreak. At the end of the struggle, Jacob was blessed and given the name “Israel,” while the “man” declined to reveal his own name. The location of the wrestling match was named Penuel by Jacob.
The Guilty Serpent
This illustration was made by Gustave Dore for John Milton’s Paradise Lost. It represents the well known biblical story of Adam and Eve getting banished from heaven after eating the forbidden fruit.
Satan looks for the first humans on earth in the form of a serpent and happily comes across Eve alone. In a coiled form, he catches her attention and starts to compliment her on her beauty, charm, and godliness.
Eve is astonished to hear an animal from the Garden of Eden speak to her. Satan lures her with enticing words, saying that eating the delicious fruit of one of the garden trees has granted him the boon of intellect and speech. Eve is intrigued to learn about the fruit’s power, which Satan claims.
Abraham, God and two Angles
Three strangers visited Abraham and Sarah, who, in accordance with Jewish tradition, offered them food and drink. These strangers then revealed themselves as angels bearing a message from God, stating that Sarah would conceive and give birth to a son named Isaac, which indeed happened.
The Dove from the Ark
In this illustration, Gustave Dore drew the biblical incidence from the genesis of the dove returning to Noah’s in the Ark. The dove couldn’t land anywhere due to the water covering the entire earth’s surface. As a result, it flew back to Noah, who took it back into the ark. After waiting for seven days, he released the dove once more from the ark.
The Titans
This Gustave Dore illustration visualizes the eighth circle of hell.
Dante notices an obscured city with high towers standing tall through the mist. Nevertheless, upon further inspection, he realizes that these colossal structures are alive and are, in fact, giants.
These giants are halfway submerged in the Ninth Circle, while their upper torsos level with the Eighth Circle. The first giant they come across is Nimrod, the Babylonian ruler responsible for the breakdown of languages around the world. He achieved this by constructing the Tower of Babel.
Afterward, they encounter Ephialtes, a giant who once took up arms against the gods. Though immobilized recently, his mere presence is still fearsome. In his bid to release himself from his chains, Ephialtes convulses, resulting in tremors throughout Hell.
Charon – Ferryman of the dead
This illustration visualizes the beginning of Dante’s Inferno, Virgil and Dante spot Charon approaching them in a boat from the banks of the legendary river Acheron- the dividing line between Hell. Charon, the ferryman of souls, initially refuses to take them across as he only transports the deceased.
However, Virgil convinces him that their journey is authorized by higher powers. As they cross the river, Virgil reveals to Dante that the reason Charon was hesitant to take them across was that only condemned souls can traverse Acheron.