The artwork, titled “Forthwith upright he rears from off the pool His mighty stature,” is created by Gustave Doré and belongs to the Romanticism art movement. This illustration is part of the “Paradise Lost” series. In the artwork, Doré masterfully employs intricate details to bring life to a dramatic and powerful scene that falls within the genre of illustration.
The artwork showcases an intense and evocative moment presented in meticulous black-and-white engravings. Dominating the scene is a powerful figure standing upright, cloaked in shadows, holding what appears to be a spear. This figure is poised on a rugged outcrop, with dark, brooding clouds swirling around, accentuating the drama. In contrast, another figure, seemingly less mighty, is shown reclining or struggling within the tumultuous waters below. The contrast between the imposing upright figure and the submerged, struggling one evokes themes of dominance, power, and vulnerability. The churning water and the dynamic sky filled with stormy clouds add to the overall tension and dramatic atmosphere, imbuing the illustration with a sense of grandeur and epic struggle, reflective of the themes found in “Paradise Lost.”
