“Began to Build a Vessel of Huge Bulk,” created by Gustave Doré, belongs to the Romanticism art movement and is categorized as a religious painting. This artwork is part of “The Holy Bible” series, which reflects Doré’s distinctive interpretation and dramatic style.
In the artwork, one witnesses a captivating and large-scale scene that appears to portray the biblical narrative of Noah’s Ark under construction. The massive wooden skeleton of the ship dominates the background, suggesting the grandiosity and monumental effort required to build such a vessel. Several human figures are diligently working, using tools and engaging in various tasks critical to the embarkation of this ark. Each character exhibits a sense of determination and purpose, contributing to the projection of labor and devotion. The intricate details and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow emphasize the solemnity and epic scale of the undertaking, consistent with the Romanticism movement’s emphasis on emotional intensity and the sublime.
