The artwork titled “Plate no. 26 Book VI line 406 ‘Now Night her Course began..'” is an engraving crafted by Gustave Doré in 1882. This piece is part of the “Paradise Lost” series and belongs to the Romanticism art movement. As an illustration, it seeks to visually represent a particular moment described in John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost.”
The engraving depicts a dramatic scene enveloped in a dark, meticulous landscape featuring rugged, craggy terrain. At the center of the artwork, a formidable winged figure reclines against the rocky environment, its powerful and ominous presence contrasting with the ethereal, cloud-filled sky. The intricate detailing of the mountainous backdrop and the expressive clouds heightens the sense of foreboding and grandeur inherent in the narrative of “Paradise Lost.” This engraving epitomizes Doré’s distinct ability to convey intense emotion and narrative depth through his masterful use of light, shadow, and texture.
