Art, Symbol & Imagination
Abdiel Confronts Satan
The central warrior lifts his weapon over an opponent who has dropped low on the clouds. Surrounding shields, spears and wings make the confrontation part of a larger battle, while the opposing postures give the immediate stroke its force. The caption belongs to Abdiel’s challenge to Satan at the beginning of the heavenly war. Doré separates the decisive gesture from the moving ranks around it. The plate transforms the earlier disagreement over allegiance into bodily action, where the loyal angel meets the rebel openly before the opposing hosts.
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Citation
Gustave Doré (design). "Abdiel Confronts Satan" [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 173. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/milton-dore-172
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
Full source plate, printed verse caption and surrounding poem reviewed. Editorial title; original scan tonality retained. Over-dark plates excluded.
Sources
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Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave DoréJohn Milton; illustrated by Gustave Doré; edited by Henry C. WalshUndated editionMore from this book
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Cite this illustration
Gustave Doré (design). Abdiel Confronts Satan. Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré. Scan leaf 173. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/milton-dore-172