THE DORE GALLERY OF BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS
By Gustave Dore
Volume 9.
This volume, as its title indicates, is a collection ofengravings illustrative of the Bible—the designs being all fromthe pencil of the greatest of modern delineators, Gustave Dore.The original work, from which this collection has been made, metwith an immediate and warm recognition and acceptance among thosewhose means admitted of its purchase, and its popularity has inno wise diminished since its first publication, but has evenextended to those who could only enjoy it casually, or infragmentary parts. That work, however, in its entirety, was fartoo costly for the larger and ever-widening circle of M. Dore'sadmirers, and to meet the felt and often-expressed want of thisclass, and to provide a volume of choice and valuable designsupon sacred subjects for art-loving Biblical students generally,this work was projected and has been carried forward. The aim hasbeen to introduce subjects of general interest—that is, thoserelating to the most prominent events and personages ofScripture—those most familiar to all readers; the plates beingchosen with special reference to the known taste of the Americanpeople. To each cut is prefixed a page of letter-press—in,narrative form, and containing generally a brief analysis of thedesign. Aside from the labors of the editor and publishers, thework, while in progress, was under the pains-taking and carefulscrutiny of artists and scholars not directly interested in theundertaking, but still having a generous solicitude for itssuccess. It is hoped, therefore, that its general plan andexecution will render it acceptable both to the appreciative andfriendly patrons of the great artist, and to those who would wishto possess such a work solely as a choice collection ofillustrations upon sacred themes.
GUSTAVE DORE.
The subject of this sketch is, perhaps, the most original andvariously gifted designer the world has ever known. At an agewhen most men have scarcely passed their novitiate in art, andare still under the direction and discipline of their masters andthe schools, he had won a brilliant reputation, and readers andscholars everywhere were gazing on his work with ever-increasingwonder and delight at his fine fancy and multifarious gifts. Hehas raised illustrative art to a dignity and importance beforeunknown, and has