The artwork entitled “The Bronze Serpent,” created by Gustave Doré, belongs to the Romanticism art movement and is categorized as a religious painting. It is part of the series “The Holy Bible.” This piece captures a biblically inspired scene with intricate detail and dramatic expression.
The artwork depicts an intense moment from the biblical narrative, wherein Moses holds up a serpent made of brass upon a pole, following God’s command to heal those afflicted by serpent bites. The composition is dense with figures, illustrating a sense of urgency and despair as the afflicted people scramble towards the bronze serpent. The scene is shrouded in a somber, night-time atmosphere, amplifying the emotional gravity of the event. The use of contrasts and the expressions of the figures emphasize the struggle and hope experienced by the people, reinforcing the dramatic essence characteristic of the Romanticism movement.
