Gustave Doré

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Gustave Doré
1832-1883
Grotesque Heads; verso: Caricature of a Man with a Long Nose
1870s
Black ink and black chalk, on paper.
7 x 6 inches (178 x 152 mm)
Purchased in 2000.
2000.52:1

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Notes: 

This drawing entered the collection along with a copy of Dore's illustrated 1873 edition of the Works of Rabelais (PML128505-06) and a collection of 268 of the artist's woodblocks and electrotypes for the 1873 and later editions of Rabelais he illustrated (PML 128507.1-269). Rabelais (1494-1553), a French Renaissance physician and writer, is best known for two satirical tales devoted to the childhood of the giants Gargantua and his son Pantagruel. Doré's skill as an illustrator gave definitive form to the tale's outrageous and often gross aspects.
This image, along with a second drawing from the same cache (2000.52:2), apparently was not used for the publication, although the composition of a group of grotesque heads clustered together is similar to others that appear in the Rabelais edition.

Inscription: 

Partly legible inscription at right, "les nuees (4)".

Provenance: 
Acquired by the Library with a copy of Doré's 1873 edition of Rabelais (PML128505-06) and a collection of 268 Doré wood blocks and electrotypes for two Rabelais editions illustrated by the artist (PML 128507.1-269).
Summary: 

Drawing of a group of four grotesque heads.

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