Dover's Dore Bible Illustrations consists of a 5 page introduction, 3 pages for the list of plates, and 241 full page engravings with the title and excerpt of the biblical passage the image represents. Most images are about 8"x10". The old testament, new testament and some of the apocryphal books are represented (in all, 39 books).
The reproduction quality is excellent. Upon close inspection, minute artifacts can be seen in most of the engravings. Most often they are tiny white dots in otherwise dark spaces. However, with the extraordinary density of fine lines engraved in every image, flawless pressings may have been nearly impossible. I recommend studying this book with a large magnifying glass. The naked eye doesn't do justice to the almost superhuman effort that went into the artwork. Every plate bears the monogram of both Dore and an assistant, and he clearly needed help to complete the book. Just imagining what it took to finish the book gives me carpal tunnel.
Every image is easily readable. Contrast is generally in the medium-high range, and all planes are well-defined. Many plates contain hundreds, even thousands of figures, and creating such large-scale images coherently is a feat in itself. The style Dore employs in his Bible scenes is atypical of the medium. He engraves with a woodcutter's sensibility, giving this book a distinct look. With the exception of a few uses of stippling, every plate consists only of contouring lines of varying density. True white or black spaces are practically nowhere to be found in the entire set; the hand of the artist can be seen everywhere. No shortcuts were taken, and Dore seems to say with his technique that the subject matter is important enough to demand great dedication.
After an avalanche of praise, I should note that the book isn't above reproach. Plate 103 shows some highly questionable-looking bears, plate 38 shows a camel that is wildly out of proportion, and plate 14 shows some awkwardly rendered figures. But there's another problem that pervades the series, and that's a lack of complexity. There's not much in the way of symbolism or imagination, and there are no close ups. This is a macroscopic, bird's-eye view of the Bible that's more about events than people, more about style than substance. Dore doesn't seem to have that spark of insight that defines the devotional masterpieces of Durer, da Vinci, Rembrandt, Bernini, Caravaggio, Michelangeo, Holbein, Rubens, Bosch, etc. That said, the book as a whole is immense and impressive, and very well-reproduced by Dover. Highly recommended to anyone interested in art and religion.
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From the Publisher
Visit Dover for a Superb Collection of Art by Gustave Doré
One of the Nineteenth Century's Most Prolific and Successful Book Illustrators.
For graphic artists and designers, this collection will provide an outstanding assortment of royalty-free images. For lovers of art and literature, these inspired plates will provide the definitive imagery of a host of literary classics. Visit www.doverpublications.com.
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Reviews with images
Great book, bad delivery
Art and presentation of this book is absolutely amazing. However I cant say the same for how this book was delivered to me. The envelope was already open when I checked my mail box. Then upon looking over the book the top right corner appears to have been folded hard. The cover and more then half the pages have this awful crease. Again the book is a 5/5 but for how this ended up in my hands is pretty upsetting.
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Peter Jansen
Impressive bible illustrations
Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 29, 2021