The Wave or My Destiny 1857

Victor Hugo, the celebrated French novelist and poet, created this artwork, "The Wave or My Destiny," using ink and wash, a medium which allowed for the effects of light and dark, the balance between form and formlessness. Hugo was writing at a time of great upheaval in France, and his art reflects this turmoil. Look at the way the wave dominates the scene, a powerful force of nature, overwhelming and potentially destructive. The image creates meaning through visual codes of Romanticism, a movement which stressed emotion and the sublime power of nature. The title, "My Destiny," suggests that Hugo saw himself as being at the mercy of forces beyond his control. To understand Hugo's art, we need to consider the political and social context in which he was working. Historical archives can tell us more about the cultural forces that shaped his artistic vision.