An Angel Appears to Balaam 

Gustave Doré made this wood engraving of ‘An Angel Appears to Balaam’, likely sometime in the 1860s, as part of a large project illustrating the Bible. Doré's images became the standard visual accompaniment to scripture for many late-19th century readers. Here, the picture gives us a dramatic scene from the Old Testament, full of light and dark contrasts, using stark, linear forms. This imagery was very popular at the time, speaking to widespread religious sentiment. The angel is an imposing figure, blocking Balaam’s path with a sword, while Balaam seems oblivious to the divine intervention. These illustrations raise questions about the cultural authority of religious institutions and the means by which belief systems are disseminated and reinforced through art. To fully appreciate Doré's biblical illustrations, we might consult nineteenth-century periodicals, religious tracts, and popular literature to gain a deeper understanding of their original reception and significance. This reminds us that the meaning of art is always shaped by its historical and institutional context.