DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36582#0070
34
THE DO RE GALLERY.
the tom trees together, and they become enchained by creepers, which, taking root in every
direction, bind and consolidate the debris. Carried away by the foaming waves, the rafts
descend to the Mississippi, which, taking possession of them, hurries them down towards the
Gulf of Mexico, throws them upon sandbanks, and so increases the number of its mouths. At
intervals the swollen river raises its voice whilst passing over the resisting heaps, and spreads
its overflowing waters around the colonnades of the forests, and the pyramids of the Indian
tombs : and so the Mississippi is the Nile of these deserts. But grace is always united to
splendour in the scenes of Nature. While the mid-stream bears away towards the sea the dead
trunks of pine-trees and oaks, the lateral currents on either side convey along the shores floating
islands of pistias and nenuphars, whose yellow roses stand out like little pavilions. Green
serpents, blue herons, pink flamingoes, and baby crocodiles embark as passengers on these
rafts of flowers; and the brilliant colony, unfolding to the wind its golden sails, glides along
slumberingly till it arrives at some retired creek in the river.”
The greatest triumphs of M. Dore’s skill as a landscape artist are to be found in
“Atala;” and this is one of the most exquisite pictures in the book. It has already been
alluded to in our Introductory Essay, but it will bear close and repeated examination. The
details are as wonderful as the general effect. Nothing can surpass the rapid movement,
fluent outlines, and multitudinous glitter of the waters, the savage freedom of the surrounding
country, the humid softness of the vapoury distance, or the aerial and far-retreating look of
the overhanging sky.
PLATE VIII.
THE THRESHOLD OF PURGATORY.
Having regained the surface of the earth after their travels through the infernal regions, Dante
and Virgil behold the sky suffused with dawn, and sprinkled with stars such as the Florentine
had never seen before.
“ Sweet hue of Eastern sapphire, that was spread
O’er the serene aspect of the pure air
High up as the first circle, to mine eyes
Unwonted joy renew’d, soon as I ’scaped
Forth from the atmosphere of deadly gloom
That had mine eyes and bosom fill’d with grief.
The radiant planet that to love invites
Made all the orient laugh, and veil’d beneath
The Pisces’ light, that in his escort came.
“To the right hand I turn’d, and fix’d my mind
On the other pole attentive, where I saw
Four stars ne’er seen before save by the ken
Of our first parents. Heaven of their rays
Seem’d joyous. O thou northern site ! bereft
Indeed, and widow’d, since of these deprived.”
Pur gat or io, Canto /., lines 13—27.
THE DO RE GALLERY.
the tom trees together, and they become enchained by creepers, which, taking root in every
direction, bind and consolidate the debris. Carried away by the foaming waves, the rafts
descend to the Mississippi, which, taking possession of them, hurries them down towards the
Gulf of Mexico, throws them upon sandbanks, and so increases the number of its mouths. At
intervals the swollen river raises its voice whilst passing over the resisting heaps, and spreads
its overflowing waters around the colonnades of the forests, and the pyramids of the Indian
tombs : and so the Mississippi is the Nile of these deserts. But grace is always united to
splendour in the scenes of Nature. While the mid-stream bears away towards the sea the dead
trunks of pine-trees and oaks, the lateral currents on either side convey along the shores floating
islands of pistias and nenuphars, whose yellow roses stand out like little pavilions. Green
serpents, blue herons, pink flamingoes, and baby crocodiles embark as passengers on these
rafts of flowers; and the brilliant colony, unfolding to the wind its golden sails, glides along
slumberingly till it arrives at some retired creek in the river.”
The greatest triumphs of M. Dore’s skill as a landscape artist are to be found in
“Atala;” and this is one of the most exquisite pictures in the book. It has already been
alluded to in our Introductory Essay, but it will bear close and repeated examination. The
details are as wonderful as the general effect. Nothing can surpass the rapid movement,
fluent outlines, and multitudinous glitter of the waters, the savage freedom of the surrounding
country, the humid softness of the vapoury distance, or the aerial and far-retreating look of
the overhanging sky.
PLATE VIII.
THE THRESHOLD OF PURGATORY.
Having regained the surface of the earth after their travels through the infernal regions, Dante
and Virgil behold the sky suffused with dawn, and sprinkled with stars such as the Florentine
had never seen before.
“ Sweet hue of Eastern sapphire, that was spread
O’er the serene aspect of the pure air
High up as the first circle, to mine eyes
Unwonted joy renew’d, soon as I ’scaped
Forth from the atmosphere of deadly gloom
That had mine eyes and bosom fill’d with grief.
The radiant planet that to love invites
Made all the orient laugh, and veil’d beneath
The Pisces’ light, that in his escort came.
“To the right hand I turn’d, and fix’d my mind
On the other pole attentive, where I saw
Four stars ne’er seen before save by the ken
Of our first parents. Heaven of their rays
Seem’d joyous. O thou northern site ! bereft
Indeed, and widow’d, since of these deprived.”
Pur gat or io, Canto /., lines 13—27.