Achan Is Stoned to Death 1866

This is Gustave Doré's ‘Achan is Stoned to Death’, a 19th-century engraving on paper. The stark black and white image relies on the graphic qualities of ink and the incisive mark-making enabled by the engraving process. The image’s emotional power hinges on contrasts: light and shadow, the smooth expanse of sand against the jagged rocks, and the vulnerable body of Achan set against the violence of his execution. Note the many tiny strokes that define texture and volume, and the hatching that creates tonality. Consider how much labor went into cutting these lines into a metal plate – and how this intense process amplifies the stark horror of the scene. Doré wasn't just illustrating a biblical story; he was engaging with broader social issues. Stoning, as a form of collective punishment, speaks to questions of social control, justice, and the dark side of group behavior. This print invites us to reflect on the weight of materials, the labor involved in artmaking, and how both can amplify an artwork's social and ethical dimensions.