Art, Symbol & Imagination
The Serpent Approaches through the Trees
A serpent coils beside a large foreground trunk within a dense avenue of trees. A small pale human figure appears farther back in an opening of the garden. The Book IX caption describes the approach through cedar, pine and palm. Doré makes the route indirect and concealed, using overlapping trunks and undergrowth to divide the foreground creature from its intended encounter. The coil's compact shape contrasts with the tall repeated trees. Distance within the garden becomes the means by which a seemingly tranquil setting can contain an approaching threat.
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Citation
Gustave Doré (design). "The Serpent Approaches through the Trees" [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 256. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/milton-dore-255
Source details
- The serpent approaches through the trees
- Paradise Lost
- Gustave Doré (design)
- Historical book illustration
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). The Serpent Approaches through the Trees. Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré. Scan leaf 256. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/milton-dore-255