Eric Zafran

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.

The Wadsworth Atheneum’s remarkable collection of twentieth-century art is due to a succession of adventurous directors and curators. This beautiful book showcases the museum’s holdings and provides fascinating details about their acquisition. In 1931, the famed Chick Austin, director of the Atheneum from 1929 to 1944, purchased works by Dalí, Calder, Picasso, Ernst, and others. Austin’s successor, Charles Cunningham, added works by Stanley Spencer, Henry Moore, Maillol, and Marini. In more recent years, examples of American modernists and expressionists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Arthur Dove, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock have also been acquired.Published in association with the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art