Customer Reviews

The Dore Bible Illustrations

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Dore's "Bible Illustrations" is a very beautiful and nostalgic trip into Victorian book illustration. I remember these images from a multi- volume "Bible for Children" that I had as a child. I was parted from those books,but always remembered the images, and what a lasting effect they had on my spirituality, and my internal image of God. I was so happy to be able to buy the Dore "Bible Illustrations" from Amazon. I am an artist with a special interest in Victorian imagery,and will treasure this volume. The plates are masterful,dramatic,quaint,and somewhat mystical in feel. I think any person interested in Victorian art,and Christian iconography will enjoy this book.

The Dore Bible Illustrations are magnificent. One looks at them and marvels at their intricasy and sensitivity. Everyone who sees this book asks how to obtain a copy. It is a brilliant and bright look backwards, like a trip to Sunday school. Special care has been taken to bind the book so that it will lie flat. Dover permits the use of the plates for creative endeavors, so for all the enthusiasts who like to make Greeting Cards for friends using scanned images, this is a wonderful tool. I highly recommend this book for every person who believes in Christ and I know this is wonderful to read and ponder before bedtime.

THE DORE BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS is the most highly praised and famous series of pencil drawings (turned into fine woodcuts by artisan engravers) crafted by the celebrated French illustrator, Paul Gustave Doré (1833-1883). These illustrations are inspired and memorable containing depictions of popular scenes and personalities as idealized conceptions, poetic and fanciful, from both the Jewish and Christian, biblical traditions. Doré's talent is mystically potent with his dramatic, chariscura renderings of moody heavens and skies; panoramic vistas and landscapes; and grand buildings and interiors, all to frame the engaging, spiritual dramas of salvation history. A moving, gallery stroll for young and old alike.

Who better to do this work than Gustave Dore? No one! A master craftsman and artist, these illustrations are inspired genius.

The amount of work involved, the imagination, and the mastery of light are something to behold, ponder and enjoy.

The work compliments the subject matter perfectly!

We're blessed that these works have been passed down to us, as you just won't see this type of work anymore, not by hand and I doubt even by computer!

This work is a blatant example of revisionism. The first 2 plates have been "doctored" to remove the human form of God from the creation and garden of Eden accounts. While Dore's work is beautiful, this book is not an accurate representation of it.

I bought this is for reference material, to see the classic imagery of the bible. The imagery is full of all the drama and suspense and gore that the old testament delivers..Amazing line work, fantasic detail and clever compositons. It's definitely an R rated verison and that's the way I think the Old Testament was meant to be, as a story. Buy it for its classical images that have been repeated again and again and buy it for its detailed engravings that will impress. It's timeless stuff.

In 1865, Gustave Dore illustrated an edition of the Bible with drawings that are popular to this day. This collection of Dore's 241 Bible plates from Dover Publications sells for a very reasonable price. I think some of Dore's illustrations are wonderful. Among my favorites are a portrait of Amos, Jesus and the woman of Samaria, and the arrival of the Good Samaritan at the inn.

One thing that makes Dore's illustrations engaging is the fact that he sometimes chose to illustrate stories that are not well known. Examples include the stoning of Achan (Joshua 7:12, 24, 25) and the Levite finding the corpse of the woman (Judges 19:26, 27.) I found a number of these illustrations so compelling and sad that I went to the Bible to learn the stories. If you wish to become familiar with lesser-known parts of the Bible, perusing Dore's illustrations is one way to motivate yourself.

I must add a word of caution. Some of Dore's black and white engravings are very graphic and unappealing to me. His rendition of David with Goliath's severed head, for instance, is one I would never share with a child. Nonetheless, if you look at Dore's illustrations, I think you'll find them thought provoking and well done.

First of all I want to mention the review is much influenced by the hardcover edition which I own but is out of stock in Amazon. However, at the bookstore where I got it, I had the opportunity to compare both editions. I eventually bought the hardcover, but I did wonder for a while which one to pick up.

To be honest, I preferred the print of the paperback edition, which had higher level of contrast - it was on white paper while the hardcover is printed on cream yellow tinted paper. However, I finally got the hardcover - well, because it is hardcover :))) and has a more luxurious look which I though was worth the 4-pounds price difference.

Now, several words about the edition. The title says it - it is not the Bible, it is the Dore illustrations to the Bible. Anyhow, each illustration holds an explanation of what is seen, so it is pretty fine.

The point which did diasappoint me was that I expected the complete set of illustrations that Dore did, until I read it was just a selection of the finest ones.
A note which might be interesting for the audience about the disputed image of Creation with the missing angel in the background (seen in older reviews) - the introduction explains it was a version that Dore did himself, and it is practically an original.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves illustration, Dore and/or Biblical subjects.

I find it odd that most have never heard of Gustave Dore. It's quite a shame, because his illustrations are simply breathtaking for this 19th century French artist. In "The Dore Bible Illustrations," around 241 plates are represented illustrating famous Bible stories and verses, going all the way from Genesis to Revelations. Each plate is labelled with a title(EX. The Angel Appearing to Joshua or The Flight Into Egypt) and the Bible verse(in King James Version translation) to which it corresponds with the plate illustration.

Many of Dore's human figures are shown in dramatic or overexxagerated pose, with strong emotional and passive looks on their faces. Several illustrations have a rather dark atmosphere, such as his "The Children of Isreal Crossing Jordan" plate. In this plate, for example, Dore uses strong dark tones, making it difficult to see anyone's faces, but rather the outlines of the figures. The figures riding upon the camels are almost zombie-like, unaware of the other people around them.

However, we also get illustrations, such as "The Angel Appearing To Joshua" plate, where the light tones often overshadow the dark. In this plate(as with many others), Dore uses dramatic poses(such as of the angel pointing his hand towards heaven) to capture a type of brilliance and splendor that is associated with an omnipotent god above(in this case, God is the rays of light shining down from the clouds). His human figures are full of emotion in this plate, often seen kneeling or ducking, in full submission not only before the angel, but also before God.

Dore's landscapes are usually full of dark clouds, tall mountains, unique architecture, or lush forests. Rather than seeing landscapes that would be considered historical, Dore concocts landscapes that are epic and fantastical. Many of his scenes could be considered chaotic, such as in "The Destruction of Leviatin" plate, where his portrayal of oceanic waves and dark clouds bring a sense of disorder and fear to the viewer. Dore is also apt to portray signs of tragedy, of human figures clearly suffering and dying, whether from war, God's wrath, or even self-anguish.

These illustrations are for anybody, whether the religious, non-devout, art lovers, or even the curious. Also highly recommended are his Arthurian illustrations(Idylls of the King), which are even more fantastical, and his illustrations of the Crusades.

Gustave Dore's interpretation of biblical stories are both passionate and sublime. His critique of both human and divine behavior is vividly portrayed on the faces of his subjects. This particular publication is generous in size, resolution and completeness.