DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36582#0608
THE DOR£ GALLERY.
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PLATE CCXXXII.
THE TWO ADVENTURERS AND THE TALISMAN (LA FONTAINE).
Two knights set forth seeking adventures. After a time they came to a post, on which
were written these words :—“ If you would see that which no knight has seen before,
cross yonder torrent, raise up the head of the huge elephant of stone which you will
find on the opposite bank, and, without resting, bear it to the top of the neighbouring
mountain.” One of the knights, not liking the adventure, grumbled at the conditions,
thought the whole thing ridiculous, and finally stayed behind. The other dashed into the
stream, reached the stone beast, uplifted the head, and breathlessly bore it to the brow of
the mountain. There he found himself on a wide terrace, and gazed below on a fair city.
The elephant’s head made a kind of exclamation, and a number of armed men issued
forth from the city, and rode towards the knight. He, believing himself about to be
attacked, spurred forward, lance in rest; when what was his surprise at hearing the whole
crowd proclaim him monarch of the country, in place of one just dead!
The picture is a marvellous piece of romance and remote loneliness, pervaded by
a sense of mystery and enchantment. The story having very much of an Oriental
character, M. Dore has done well in giving to the two human figures the costume of the
East.
PLATE CCXXXIII.
JESUS FALLING BENEATH THE CROSS.
The principal figure in this plate is touchingly drawn, and the others are very bold and
powerful, particularly that of Simon the Cyrenian, who was compelled to bear the cross.
But what is the authority for representing Jesus as fainting beneath the instrument of death ?
The subject is a favourite with painters ; but no such incident is related in any one of
the four gospels, though in the chapter-head of Mark xv. it is mentioned, with a reference
to verse 21, which says nothing of the kind.
PLATE CCXXXIV.
MINOS.
Minos, the infernal judge, is described by Dante (“ Inferno,” Canto V.) as sitting at the
entrance to the second circle of Hell. In the plate he is represented passing sentence on
the trembling souls brought before him.
i35
PLATE CCXXXII.
THE TWO ADVENTURERS AND THE TALISMAN (LA FONTAINE).
Two knights set forth seeking adventures. After a time they came to a post, on which
were written these words :—“ If you would see that which no knight has seen before,
cross yonder torrent, raise up the head of the huge elephant of stone which you will
find on the opposite bank, and, without resting, bear it to the top of the neighbouring
mountain.” One of the knights, not liking the adventure, grumbled at the conditions,
thought the whole thing ridiculous, and finally stayed behind. The other dashed into the
stream, reached the stone beast, uplifted the head, and breathlessly bore it to the brow of
the mountain. There he found himself on a wide terrace, and gazed below on a fair city.
The elephant’s head made a kind of exclamation, and a number of armed men issued
forth from the city, and rode towards the knight. He, believing himself about to be
attacked, spurred forward, lance in rest; when what was his surprise at hearing the whole
crowd proclaim him monarch of the country, in place of one just dead!
The picture is a marvellous piece of romance and remote loneliness, pervaded by
a sense of mystery and enchantment. The story having very much of an Oriental
character, M. Dore has done well in giving to the two human figures the costume of the
East.
PLATE CCXXXIII.
JESUS FALLING BENEATH THE CROSS.
The principal figure in this plate is touchingly drawn, and the others are very bold and
powerful, particularly that of Simon the Cyrenian, who was compelled to bear the cross.
But what is the authority for representing Jesus as fainting beneath the instrument of death ?
The subject is a favourite with painters ; but no such incident is related in any one of
the four gospels, though in the chapter-head of Mark xv. it is mentioned, with a reference
to verse 21, which says nothing of the kind.
PLATE CCXXXIV.
MINOS.
Minos, the infernal judge, is described by Dante (“ Inferno,” Canto V.) as sitting at the
entrance to the second circle of Hell. In the plate he is represented passing sentence on
the trembling souls brought before him.