Journey to the Center of the Earth 1864

Edouard Riou’s illustration for Jules Verne's novel presents a descent into the unknown, as figures embark on a Journey to the Center of the Earth. Light and shadow are the dominant elements, and one figure dramatically raises a hand to the light, indicating a discovery. This gesture echoes throughout art history, from religious scenes of revelation to secular moments of epiphany. Think of Caravaggio’s paintings, where a beam of divine light illuminates the face of a saint, or even ancient depictions of sun gods extending their hands. Here, the beam of light, almost liquid in its intensity, slices through the darkness. In antiquity, light was connected with knowledge, life, or god. The composition evokes a primal journey into the self, a quest for the origins of existence. Such journeys carry an emotional weight, engaging our subconscious fears and hopes. This descent can also be traced through a myriad of myths and legends, from Orpheus’ journey to the underworld, to the shamanic rituals of indigenous cultures. It’s the cyclical nature of these images, recurring across time and cultures, that reveals their enduring power.