Gustave+Dore'

** January 6, 1833 – January 23, 1883 ** ** French Illustrator, Painter, Sculptor, and Engraver **
 * Gustave Doré was born to an affluent family who encouraged his artistic abilities. He remained financially stable throughout his career, which allowed him to focus on any artistic motif. His observations of nature and urban life served as his biggest sources of inspiration, for he depicted the rich and complex natural world.
 * Doré showed an interest in drawing from a young age. He educated himself by studying works housed in the French institutions, especially the Louvre. Doré was primarily self taught; his innate talent prompted Charles Philippon to commission Doré to produce a drawing a week for Philippon’s //Jornal pour rire.//
 * Although Doré’s attempts to become a painter were unsuccessful; he established himself as a leading illustrator for literary works. He became best known for his illustrations for books, such as: //Dante's Inferno, Purgatoria, and Paradiso//; the Bible in 1856-66; Milton's //Paradise Lost//; and Poe's //Raven//.
 * Although not best known for his literary illustrations; Doré produced numerous large-scale paintings, which primarily depicted the urban life in the cities he frequented most-Paris and London. Although he longed to be a renowned historical painter; his primary financial success remained solidified in illustration.
 * In his late career, he produced various sculptures that were badly received by Parisian critics. His lack of success in painting and sculpture, coupled by the death of his mother and his own failing health lead to his death in 1883. Throughout his career he focused on the human figure and the various perspectives he observed.

Oxford Art Online: Doré, Gusatve (-Paul): [|http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T023374?q=Gustave+Doré&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit]

<January