Art, Symbol & Imagination
Satan Withdraws before the Dawn
A dark winged figure turns upon a rocky rise while a company of pale angels gathers beyond him. Cloud and growing light open a broad space behind the opposing bodies. The caption concerns Satan's departure as the shades of night flee in Book IV. Doré makes withdrawal a change of direction at close range, with the solitary dark silhouette facing away from the illuminated company. The approaching daylight is part of the composition rather than a separate emblem. It joins the assembled angels in making the foreground figure's position no longer tenable.
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Citation
Gustave Doré (design). "Satan Withdraws before the Dawn" [editorial title]. In Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré, John Milton; illustrated by Gustave Doré; edited by Henry C. Walsh. Undated John W. Lovell Company edition; exact publication year unverified, undated edition, John W. Lovell Company. Source scan leaf 141. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/milton-dore-140
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
Original source design and caption inspected; composition retained with scan margins trimmed. No reconstructed or recoloured details.
Sources
From the book
Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave DoréJohn Milton; illustrated by Gustave Doré; edited by Henry C. WalshUndated editionMore from this book
All 40 illustrations
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Cite this illustration
Gustave Doré (design). Satan Withdraws before the Dawn. Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré. Scan leaf 141. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/milton-dore-140