Gustave Doré
1832-1883
Grotesque Heads; verso: Caricature of a Man with a Long Nose
1870s
7 x 6 inches (178 x 152 mm)
Black ink and black chalk, on paper.
2000.52:1
Purchased in 2000.
Notes
This drawing entered the collection along with a copy of Dore's illustrated 1873 edition of the Works of Rabelais (PML128505-06) and a collection of 268 of the artist's woodblocks and electrotypes for the 1873 and later editions of Rabelais he illustrated (PML 128507.1-269). Rabelais (1494-1553), a French Renaissance physician and writer, is best known for two satirical tales devoted to the childhood of the giants Gargantua and his son Pantagruel. Doré's skill as an illustrator gave definitive form to the tale's outrageous and often gross aspects.
This image, along with a second drawing from the same cache (2000.52:2), apparently was not used for the publication, although the composition of a group of grotesque heads clustered together is similar to others that appear in the Rabelais edition.
This image, along with a second drawing from the same cache (2000.52:2), apparently was not used for the publication, although the composition of a group of grotesque heads clustered together is similar to others that appear in the Rabelais edition.
Inscriptions/Markings
Partly legible inscription at right, "les nuees (4)".
Summary
Drawing of a group of four grotesque heads.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department