Gustav Dore (1832 – 1883) was one of the pre-eminent illustrators of the Victorian age. Born in Paris, and working mainly through wooden engraved prints he produced illustrations for everyone from Byron to Edgar Allen Poe. The beautiful prints below depict scene’s in Milton’s Paradise Lost. They may have been from the 50 plates he produced for an 1866 edition of Paradise Lost, or later re-publishings. I picked these up for a song Spitafield’s Market. There were more on sale, and I kick myself to this day for not buying more of them…
Source: Gustav Dore’s Illustrations for John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1866, Cassell & Co)
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04/12/2015 at 21:57
Silver Screenings
Are wooden/engraved prints done much anymore? I remember, in grade school, making “stamps” by carving into potatoes and that was quite a chore. I can’t imagine the work that would go into one of these let alone 50!!
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05/12/2015 at 14:37
First Night Design
I believe so but it must be hard to make a living when the work is detailed and time-consuming. Gosh, how I remember potato carving!
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05/12/2015 at 18:04
Silver Screenings
As a kid, I was Bitterly Disappointed in potato carving. I thought I would create fabulous, world-renowned designs…but the only feedback I ever received was, “What’s that supposed to be?”
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05/12/2015 at 18:26
First Night Design
Snap!
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04/12/2015 at 03:24
Widdershins
There’s just so much to look at. Love it. 😀
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04/12/2015 at 14:24
First Night Design
I know!
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03/12/2015 at 22:55
Ace Worldwide News Group
Reblogged this on ' Ace World History '.
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03/12/2015 at 12:37
beetleypete
Amazingly detailed Victorian Gothic illustrations indeed. A very well-spotted re-blog, Sarah!
Best wishes, Pete. x
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03/12/2015 at 15:06
First Night Design
Thanks, my friend!
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03/12/2015 at 09:34
davidprosser
My kind of art. My kind of period.
xxx Huge Hugs Sarah xxx
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03/12/2015 at 15:06
First Night Design
Tickled to hear that, David. Hugs! xx
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02/12/2015 at 16:53
Mary
Amazing work Sarah! The value work and variety of textures are areas of his work that I could study all day long.
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02/12/2015 at 18:51
First Night Design
Absolutely!
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02/12/2015 at 15:06
olganm
Beautiful indeed. 🙂
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02/12/2015 at 11:47
Sarah
When I was young my dad let me have temporary custody of his copy of Don Quixote. I loved the illustrations by Gustav Dore and the elaborate book-binding. I even made a rubbing of the covers that is probably still in my art folders somewhere. If I had money I’d probably collect old books like that. 🙂
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02/12/2015 at 12:34
First Night Design
You and me both!
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02/12/2015 at 11:30
Tish Farrell
These are indeed amazing works. Until now I only knew of Dores scenes of London backstreets. Powerful images all round.
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02/12/2015 at 12:35
First Night Design
Very powerful.
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02/12/2015 at 11:25
janetweightreed10
These are magnificent. I could look at them for hours, and how fortunate that you spied them at Spitafield’s and for a song at that. Now that’s enough to make anyone smile:) Have a beautiful day. Janet. xx
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02/12/2015 at 12:35
First Night Design
Alas, ’twas not me but the author of the Spitalfields blog! xx
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03/12/2015 at 10:19
janetweightreed10
OK – just got it. Sometimes things take a little longer for me:) What a find. Have a beautiful day and of course no matter what keep smiling….Janet. xx
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