Gustave Doré

Gustave Doré began his career as a child-prodigy, sketching drawings that rivaled those of established artists. He quickly became known for his illustrations and prints and was asked to illustrate celebrated works, such as the Bible and Don Quixote. Later in his career, his precociousness pushed him to explore other artistic realms, including sculpture and painting.

Because of the popularity of his illustrations, he often traveled to London. While there he was consistently struck by the disparities of Victorian-era society, especially those between the elite and the majority of the city, who were facing poverty. These contrasts would go on to inspire many of his works.

The present sculpture captures this dichotomy. Depicting a woman holding her child above her head while a snake slithers up her leg, it can be read as either a mother achieving a heroic feat to save her child, or as two people forced into a helpless situation. The title of the work itself, L'Effroi ou L'amour Maternel (Fear or Motherly Love), eludes to this double-meaning.