MOSES BREAKING THE TABLES OF THE LAW 1885 Gustave Doré ANTIQUE ENGRAVING

Original 9 3/4 inch x 7 3/4 inch Engraving titled MOSES BREAKING THE TABLES OF THE LAW.

The figure of Moses seems to have been, in some measure, studied from the celebrated ststue by Michelangelo. Gigantic, massive, and terrible, with enormous beard sweeping like a tempest over his breast, and the vast folds of his robe flaring in the wind.”

Illustration by Gustave Doré (1832 - 1883). The most popular and successful French book illustrator of the middle of the 19th century. Doré became widely known for his illustrations to such books as Danté’s Inferno (1861), Don Quixote (1862), and the Bible (1866), and he helped to give European currency to the illustrated book of large format. He was so prolific that at one time he employed more than forty wood engravers. His work is characterized by an eclectic mix of Michelangelesque nudes, northern traditions of sublime landscape, and a highly spirited love of the grotesque and bizarre.

Engraved by Laurent Hotelin. Wood-engraver, from 1844 worked with Adolphe Best as 'Best, Hotelin and Leloir' (and Regnier, in which case they sometimes signed with a monogram).

From Doré’s illustrated edition of the Bible 1866.

This edition from Cassell’s ‘Doré Gallery’ published in 1885.

Page size 12 1/4 inch x 9 1/8 inch

The engraving is in very good condition. Reverse side blank.