The artwork titled “He Perceived That Her Little Foot Slid In Without Trouble,” created by Gustave Doré, belongs to the Romanticism art movement and falls under the genre of illustration. This piece is part of the series “Tales and Stories of the Past with Morals.”
The artwork poignantly captures a climactic moment from a story, possibly Cinderella, given the context of the slipper fitting perfectly onto the foot of the young maiden seated at the center. Seated gracefully, she extends her foot as an older man, potentially a prince, kneels and gently fits the slipper. The surrounding characters, adorned in elegant attire, observe with expressions of anticipation and intrigue. The scene is further enriched by intricate details, such as the richly textured fabrics, baroque decorations, and the presence of a small cat, adding a touch of domestic charm. The monochromatic palette accentuates the dramatic contrast between light and shadow, characteristic of Doré’s masterful engraving technique, embodying the emotional intensity and narrative depth typical of Romantic illustration.
