Royal idyll

The story of graphics knew a lot of loud names. But among them, a brilliant gustav Dorea will always stand out, the illustrations of which strengthened the fame of dozens of great works, having long survived his creator and preventing him from fading away. “An outstanding representative of not only French, but also of the entire European art of the second half of the 19th century,” Lev art critic notes
Warsaw, - he introduced into the treasury of world graphics unsurpassed drawings in his artistic merits, showing deep penetration into the essence of the phenomena, reflecting in them the various aspects of the life of the modern society, all its classes and social groups.

The unique engravings for the famous Alfred tennison cycle “Royal Hydillia”, presented in this publication, were among the works that brought world fame and recognition to the artist. The book is a collection of ballads about the adventures of King Arthur. This is the history of the heyday and fall of the Camelot and the knights of the round table, at the same time symbolically reflecting the growth, struggle and the fall of the human soul. Well -known heroes - Lancelot, Tristram, Isolde - appear here sinful, complete passions and desires, hatred and love. The drawings of Dore, depicting the scenes of fights or the characters immersed in thought against the backdrop of fairy -tale locks, crumbling ruins and amazing landscapes are extremely romantic. “Its amazing pencil makes the clouds take unclear shapes, water - an illustrator of all times to sparkle with a gloomy steel brilliance, and mountains are to take a variety of faces,” said Theophilus Gauthier. Turning to the source, the artist subtly and consistently follows the plot, almost literally revealing for readers all the facets of feelings, experiences, doubts, emotions and passions of the characters of “royal idyll”. Dore"s style is well recognizable and still does not cease to hit the audience