The Heaven of the Fixed Stars II 

Gustave Doré made this engraving, "The Heaven of the Fixed Stars II," in the 19th century. Doré was working amidst a period of rapid social change and growing secularism in Europe. Here, he visualizes a deeply religious scene, illustrating the divine realm as a celestial gathering of angels bathed in ethereal light. This piece offers a glimpse into the cultural mindset of the time, where spiritual faith was still a central aspect of identity and artistic expression. The racial and gendered implications of representing heavenly figures with white, often androgynous features invites a dialogue about the historical construction of religious iconography. Doré's work invites us to consider how images of the divine reflect and shape societal values and power structures, while also offering moments of emotional and spiritual connection.