DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT 1885 Gustave Doré - Paul Jonnard ANTIQUE ENGRAVING

Original 9 3/4 inch x 7 3/4 inch Engraving titled THE DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT.

”The subject is from the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, where it is related that, on the day of Pentecost, as the Apostles were gathered together in the same place, a rushing mighty wind filled all the house, and cloven tongues of fire descended, and sat on each of them, so that they became inspired, and able to speak in various languages.”

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 Paul Jonnard. French wood engraver.

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.