The Democratic advocate., 1878-12-14
Our Q9lio.
GUSTAVE DORE.

GUSTAVE D0RE.
There is so much cant about "art" at
this day that almost hesitate to mention
it here: but as from childhood have dab
bIed little in it, hope [ may be excus-
ed. particularly as what | am about to
say may possibly crafty the curious. In
common with vast number of others, L
had gazcd with the profoundest admiration
on Dore's great painting, "Christ's De-
scent from the Pretorium" judg-
:ment seat of Pilate,-in the Dore Gallery,
London; and had more than once found
much qualification in other pictures of
that collection; and the wonder was not
only at the genius so conspicuous, but
that one man could have produced so
much: and he was a man hardly arrived
at middle age. And the surprise was in
creased on rejecting that it was the mind
and hand which has become illustrious IN
illustrating the works of eminent au-
thors, having done enough Of that, in the
highest range of the art, to have occupied
almost lifetime, and to have won immor-
tai renown. As result, | had conceived
not only a great admiration for his genius,
but considerable curiosity to see him.
only to see what the creator of such rare
designs, and with such remarkable fecun-
dity, could be like.
Well, one day on returning to our
quarters in Edinburgh, we found friend
who had called to see us just driving off
from the door. I stepped up to the car
riage and was talking with him, when
modest-looking man joined US, and my
friend, turning to me, said: "Let me in
troduce you to Mr.. Dore" "Not Mr.. Gus
tave Dore ?" said 1. eyes; no other" he
replied. And could not help saying, as
l Shook hands with the stranger: "Well,
Mr.. Dore, this is an event in my tour, for
I've been longing to get look at you for
good while past" "You must come and
dine with Mr.. Dore this evening"" said
my friend. l did so.
"Does he look like genius?" That
depends on what genius looks like. If
it means that man must have a brow
clothed with power, an eye ''in fine phren-
zy rolling" and a manner dreamy, alb
stracted and impractical, then Dore does
not look like genius. He has none of
these. He looks like other people; some
might say "a little more So" The fore
head has height, but it is as smooth as a
section of watermelon; the eyes are small;
the hair straight, very black and coarse,
and the countenance not particularly ex-
pressive. In fact, one could pick out
among the passers-by along the Boulevards,
any five minutes, dozen men who look
as much like a genius as does Mr.. Dore.
Nevertheless he is genius, and, in my
humble opinion, the most remarkable ar
tistic genius in this country.
said to Mr.. Dore that had been fill
ed with wonder at the continuousness and
immensity of his productiveness, and that,
if he had no objection, | would like to
know what were his hours for work. He
replied: 81 begin at in the morning L
work till in the afternoon; then L stop
for two hours for dinner; | begin again at 8
in the evening and work until Il; then L
walk six miles; then [ go to bed and sleep;
and | couldn't sleep if didn't take the
walk" His idea that walk before going
to bed is a good anodyne was not new
one to me. He paints in the daytime and
draws at night; as he could not make his
colors true by gaslight. But, at any rate,
the immense amount of drawing for book
illustrations which he has to do, requires
all the time he gives to it. And this part
of his work pays well, as he receives S2OO
for each drawing, drawn on the wood
ready for engraving. He did not give me
this last item, but had it on good au-
thority.
l told Mr.. Dore hoped he would come
ito America, that he was highly apprecia-
ted there, and that he would find much
material for his pencil. He said he had
been anxious to go; that he would like es-
jpecially to see the gigantic scenery of Cal
ifornia, and that he would like to visit
Central America and sketch some Of the
exuberant growth of that region; but that
this would require at least four months,
and he couldn't spare that time from home
engagements He also stated that he had
had a large offer from one of our publishing
houses; but that it would have required
him to 90 over and live in America for
two years, and this he could not possibly
do.
Ihad been so much impressed with Dore's
ssChrist's Descent from Pr@torium, that
had formed great expectations as to his
new gigantic picture, "Christ's Triumphant
Entrance into Jerusalem" But l was
disappointed. 1t did not come up to my
anticipations The figure of our Saviour
riding on tie ass is not a pleasant one.
1t lacks dignity-lhe very element SO con-
spicuous in the Pr@torium picture, where
there is not only dignity, but majesty
the majesty of sorrow. And the surround
ings of the figure are not agreeable
looking, as they do, much like the festivi-
ties of an Italian gala-day. Of course,
there is power and genius; otherwise it
would not be Dorc's. He is in his forty
fourth year, is from the province of AL
SAGE, is unmarried, but has mother to
whom he is much devoted. He was trav-
elling and is very intimate with one of the
ministers of Westminster Abbey, who
dined with us and is very agreeable gen
tlcman.-N y Observer.
SunAowcrs are coming into use in the
treeless parts of Minnesota, as fuel. The