https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/london-illustrations-by-gustave-dor
Gustav Doré’s works are very captivating and full of details that allow him to convey a powerful and effective piece. In this illustration, Doré depicts London, England and Harrow Alley from the 19th century. Since then, the name has changed but Doré depicts what London was like back then. The incorporation of every aspect of fine details in this piece add character and life to the work and make it seem so realistic. Taking a close look at the image, the viewer notices only one single light on above the people and the tallest person in the image appears to be a man, whom I have inferred is the dad or father figure of the group hovering below the light attached to what looks like a storefront or possibly a home. The emotions and facial expressions cast off by the characters, especially the one woman who looks older than the rest of the women in the image is that off sadness and depression, perhaps even anger or frustration. There are two young children cowering under a blanket in the front at the bottom of the image. It appears as if they are trying to stay warm any way possible. The clothes they are wearing seem to be very similar to one another and the shoes are piled near a bench which seems to house many hats and other clothing items. There is what looks to be another family in the left of the image, again expressionless and motionless. There also is a man sitting with his back against the wall which appears to be a part of another alley where he is sitting. The only legible words on the image are “Harrow Alley” which as I mentioned earlier was in London back in the 19th century. It is also ironic that this alley happens to be eerily similar to narrow alley, which is what many of the alleys are in London. In front of the large family are teapots and containers for water or other items but what is not present is food or a sense of covered shelter in this image. Maybe Doré is suggesting that the majority of people in the 19th century were in a constant state of starvation and lack of shelter. This is certainly what the image depicts.
Austin, I also noticed the fine details of Doré’s images to be very significant as to what they are able to portray. I think the very fine details give Doré the opportunity to show how dirty the area was due to the industrialism of the 19th century. I think this in particular shows us how burning coal was apparent through the black stains it left on buildings. I think the fine lines and details definitely make it look like everything here is covered in soot.