Gustave Dore “cover image” close reading

I found the first image of Gustave Dore’s series to be a very revealing cover page as it relates to the themes that appear through out the series of illustrations. “London” is written in a creepy font which in combination with the gloomy, cloudy sky in the background contribute to the ominous tones that come from this image. The man is carrying what appears to be an embellished oar. He is resting on a small boat and is dressed in rags which I thought represented a significant contrast to the thoughtful design of the decorated oar. 

The facial expressions of the man and lion are key to the message I found in this image. The man’s facial expression emits defeat, a falling from power, some anguish, and sorrow. The lion appears to be giving a stern look of disappointment and anger towards the man. I found the lion to have a scornful expression that accounts for the sorrow that appears to be coming from the man’s facial expression. These significances lead up to what I think is one of the most significant aspects of this image which is the setting. The man and the lion are resting under a bridge, assumingely having been cast out of society and what ever position they held in it previously. The lion is a regal icon, and its presence under a bridge represents a long fall from power. Furthermore, the lion appears to be filthy. The metaphor that the lion is the “king of the jungle” seems to be playing an important role in this image as the man has fallen from what ever noble position he previously held and his undignified demeanor resembles that of the dirty lion. 

I think this is a great cover image for the series as the theme of poverty is seen throughout the series. I think Dore was trying to express the troubling social and financial conditions that existed in London during the 19th century, and this image has many things going on to express that.