Fervor and Fantasy: The Passion by Gustave Doré

A small but interesting selection of works by the French artist and engraver Gustave Doré (1832-1883), is exhibited in Fervor and fantasy: the Passion according to Gustave Doré from March 28, 2015. The exceptional exhibition will consist of five great works format that illustrates the creativity and aesthetic interest of the artist when representing scenes from the life of Jesus.

The story of the Passion and death of Jesus has inspired countless artists throughout the centuries. Doré stands out among all of them, according to curator Pablo Pérez d’Ors, for the intense darkness that conjures up when depicting these scenes from one of the greatest stories ever told. The exhibition invites the public to discover and understand how Doré created totally original images based on the texts of the Gospels.

This creative freedom is due, in part, to the fact that the economic engine of his work did not come from religious institutions but from private clients, and the painter’s enormous commercial success is attributed to his ability to appeal to the aesthetic and religious sensibility of his contemporaries. “By presenting religious works by Gustave Doré in context, Fervor and fantasy not only allows us to get to know an artist better, but also takes the pulse of an era of profound changes,” Pérez d’Ors explained.

Contrary to what happens in exhibitions that group large quantities of works in the same space, this sample is composed of three huge canvases, two prints and an illustrated Bible. “We don’t want the public to feel intimidated when they enter the Museum. The exhibition is very accessible and, being few works, can be visited in about twenty minutes looking at the works carefully, ”said the curator. To make the experience even more complete, an atmosphere inspired by Doré’s gothic and dark aesthetics will be created.

The exhibition is complemented by other works by Doré, recently installed on the first level of the Museum along with an important collection of paintings from the 19th century.