This is not about a “choice”. It
is impossible for me to make it (and it will take me to a different
sort of discussion here). It's a story that I hope continues to
unfold. I have a small booklet (5”x7.5”) of Gustave Doré's
bible illustrations with me since I was three years old, a selection
of 125 of “famous bible Illustrations” printed in Israel in the
early 50's “depression” period.
Paul Gustave Doré1832-1883
was a French artist, engraver, illustrator and sculptor. His career
which started early on (at the age of 15 he has been already
publishing his work) was mainly focused on engraving (wood, steel),
and illustrations of seminal literary works by Rabelais, Balzac,
Milton and Dante. His illustrations for the English Bible, completed
in 1866, were a great success and in 1867 he had a major exhibition
of his work in London. His woodcuts and engravings (later on he
made series for Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven and Cervantes's Don
Quixote) remain his most celebrated work (even though he produced
numerous paintings). He created over 10,000 engravings and 4000
editions in forty year period! Here a world of fantasy is developed
with rich detail and depth depicting, scenes, characters, landscapes
and events in romantic grand manner. In the case of the bible, the
scenes focus on a dramatic pivotal moment in a story; Absalom caught
in a tree, Lot's wife turning her head, King Saul attempting
to kill David etc.,
They are full of movement and dramatic excess of
expression. Also the scenery is a dramatic romantic rendition of
19th
century imagery of the holy land. I
grew up in Israel where bible studies were forced upon secular
educational program right from the start so this booklet really left
a strong visual impression on me.
I remember going through it
millions of times, referring to it along with school narratives, a
kind of a graphic novel (titles..no captions). I was drawn to
the narrative as much as to the pictorial elements and particulars.
I've never thought of it as “inspirational”, rather as a
beautiful relic from my early past, partly a nostalgia item, yet a
tangible living thing from my beginning, a link to my early
childhood. Only when I started to get involved in printmaking and
etching in particular, I came back to this book (I actually was
asked to bring a particular and personal item to the class and
intuitively I chose it). The etched line gave way to the inscribed
past memory. It has become sort of an opening for me for the
exploration of that past.
Also these illustrations, engravings,
small as they are formatted, have a whole detailed world in them
that pulls one in. I've been always drawn to works that are rich in
detail. I like the engulfing, immersing effect of details..the
ecstatic abundance feeling they create. There are so many examples but I chose one of my
favorites here as a guide to “total” experience : Benozzo
Gozzoli's Medici chapel in the Pallazzo Riccardi. The paintings
(1459) in wet and dry frescoes technique, depict the journey of the
magi from Jerusalem to Bethlechem, a journey that surround the whole
wall space of the chapel (competing/completing wooden ceiling with
roses in gold and colors, inlaid floor of ancient marbles (architect
Michelozzo di Bartolommeo) and richly sculpted benches).
Gozzoli, like a fine goldsmith, depicts precious materials of jewelry, fabrics, transparencies, harnesses, trees with fruit, meadows with flowers, birds' plumage, multi colored angels' wings, dogs , horses and even a panther. The abundance of detail in this small room is breathtaking.
Moreover the room is completely closed (no
windows, doors or any other openings (apart from the narrow entrance
door). All of this put in question not only its aesthetic but also its purpose. Is this a place for meditation? I think it is. Not only harmonious, it manages in creating an infinite feeling of space, a true ecstatic experience. perfect.
Dore and Gozzoli are my
contemporaries.
Awesome. I loved this. Thank you. I am in awe of Gozzoli's work. I wish I could feel he was my Contemporary! :)
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