The Hunters of Eagles' Nests 1857

Gustave Doré made this print, "The Hunters of Eagles' Nests," using wood engraving, a technique that allowed for detailed imagery and mass production. Doré was a prolific artist in 19th-century France. He worked across many genres including book illustration, and his images often capture dramatic scenes from literature and myth. This print depicts a dangerous, likely romanticized, activity, which could be seen as a metaphor for the challenges and risks inherent in human ambition. The image uses stark contrasts of light and shadow to heighten the drama, typical of the Romantic movement. The presence of the ruined architecture in the background suggests the decline of old orders and the confrontation of humans with a sublime and dangerous natural world. To fully understand Doré’s work, one might explore the publishing industry of his time, the rise of illustrated periodicals, and the cultural fascination with nature and adventure. The power of art resides in its connection to the social and institutional contexts in which it is created and viewed.