Have you ever wondered about the timeless masterpieces of literature that are available for free online? From Shakespeare to Don Quixote, Edgar Allan Poe’s stories to the Divine Comedy, and even the Bible – all of these works have inspired illustrations by the renowned artist Gustave Doré. During the mid-nineteenth century in France, Doré created woodblock-print illustrations that have become synonymous with Western literary classics.
Doré’s illustrations for the French-language edition of the Vulgate Bible in the 1860s featured 241 engravings that depicted dramatic events from various biblical stories. From the Tower of Babel to the Plague in Egypt, Doré’s Romanic style captured the intensity of these narratives with vivid imagery and striking contrasts.
Whether depicting biblical massacres or angelic beings, Doré’s illustrations resonated with audiences in both France and the United Kingdom. His work was so successful that a major exhibition showcasing his art opened in London shortly after the Bible edition’s release.
Despite the Victorian influences and Doré’s personal aesthetic choices, his Bible illustrations continue to captivate audiences with their timeless chiaroscuro portrayals of iconic biblical scenes. You can explore the entire series on Wikipedia or access “The Doré Gallery of Bible Illustrations” on Project Gutenberg for free.
Related content:
Gustave Doré’s Dramatic Illustrations of Dante’s Divine Comedy
Gustave Doré’s Exquisite Engravings of Cervantes’ Don Quixote
Gustave Doré’s Macabre Illustrations of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (1884)
Behold Gustave Doré’s Illustrations for Rabelais’ Grotesque Satirical Masterpiece Gargantua and Pantagruel
The Adventures of Famed Illustrator Gustave Doré Presented in a Fantasic(al) Cutout Animation
Salvador Dalí’s Illustrations for the Bible (1963)
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
