Illustration for Notre-Dame de Paris 

This illustration by Luc-Olivier Merson for Victor Hugo's novel *Notre-Dame de Paris* depicts a scene from the book. The artwork portrays a woman, possibly Esmeralda, standing on a platform above a crowd of people. Her outstretched hand seems to be reaching out towards another figure, perhaps Quasimodo. The scene's composition and the expressive gestures of the figures suggest a dramatic moment in the story. The soft, pastel-like colors and the blurred background further enhance the emotional impact of the scene. This sketch-like quality is characteristic of Merson's style.