Baldine Saint Girons

Proclaimed the most illustrious of illustrators, Gustave Dore is best known for his engravings, which appeared in editions of the Bible, Dantes Inferno, Poes The Raven, The Adventures of Don Quixote, and even in Hollywood, from King Kong to Seven. Yet the extent of his genius remains largely unknown. Here, along with his renowned illustrations, his paintings and sculptures are also examined, bringing to light the rich diversity of his talent. Using watercolor, vivid oil paint, or sculpture, he demonstrated mastery in a vast scope of media, and in treatments ranging from monumental historical tableaux to landscapes to modest compositions. His work transcended techniques and eras, covering an inexhaustible range of subjects from Europe to the United States to Russia and revealing his insatiable curiosity. This comprehensive monograph accompanies an exhibition at the Musee dOrsay in Paris from February 18May 11, 2014 and at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa from June 12September 14, 2014.

Distinct de l'acte artistique, scientifique et discursif, l'acte esthetique joue un role essentiel dans la creation mais aussi dans la connaissance et le dialogue. Il poetise le monde, le musicalise; le jardine, le choregraphie - bref, le refaconne, en creant des universels d'imagination. Nous sommes tous, a des degres divers, des acteurs esthetiques qui prenons le risque de nous perdre dans l'alterite a laquelle nous nous exposons et a partir de laquelle nous construisons de nouveaux types de " reels ", impregnes de sensibilite et de savoir. D'un meme mouvement, l'acte esthetique sauvegarde le monde, cree un lien substantiel entre les hommes et permet d'echapper au double piege du narcissisme et de la melancolie.