Jehu's Companions Find Jezebel's Remains 

Editor: This is "Jehu's Companions Find Jezebel's Remains" by Gustave Doré. It appears to be a drawing or engraving, and the stark contrast really creates a sense of dread and horror. What do you see in this piece, focusing on how Doré uses the formal elements? Curator: Observe the artist’s sophisticated command of line and value to structure the visual field. The severe verticality of the wall juxtaposes with the undulating forms of the figures, resulting in a composition charged with dynamism. Notice, in particular, the directional lines, like those created by the spears, which draw the eye. Editor: I see that. The spears are pointing almost accusingly downwards. But isn't the stark black and white rather limiting? Curator: Not necessarily. Consider how Doré manipulates chiaroscuro, employing light and shadow not merely to render form but to amplify the scene's dramatic tension. Note how light seems to pour onto the remains in the foreground, which directs our eye. What would you say about this particular choice? Editor: It definitely highlights the brutality of the scene. By focusing our attention on the remains, Doré amplifies the scene's already intense narrative. He's really directing our gaze. Curator: Precisely. The effectiveness of Doré’s print lies not in what it represents but in how the constituent visual elements coalesce to engender meaning and provoke a visceral response. Editor: That makes perfect sense. I will never look at the lines in art the same way!