Word and image : Doré/Poe : an enquiry into the role of word and image in the late Romantic period, with specific interest in the participation of Gustave Doré, Edgar Allan Poe and the influence of the gothic revival

This study is an investigation into the relationship between word and image, with specific interest into the work of Edgar Allan Poe and Gustave Doré. The twenty six illustrations that Doré executed for Poe's The Raven form the basis of the study. The intention is, through analysis of the illustration, to identify the interplay between word and image and also investigate the influence of late Romantic Gothicism. Part One examines the position and roles of verbal/visual enquiry through illustration and text. A survey of theoretical concepts defining illustration is made. A brief examination of nineteenth century perspectives of illustration, including a survey of technical theories follows. The modern theory of semiotics and its bearing on visual investigation is examined. A model for applying these theories is detailed. Part Two is an in-depth examination of all twenty six of Doré's illustrations of The Raven. An introduction to the illustrations precedes the analysis. Each illustration is detailed individually, with information on the engraver, content and poetical position being given at the start. Numbered inserts are employed to relay detailed information on more general topics relates to the poem and illustrations. Part Three is the conclusion to the work. A brief examination of Doré's involvement with the Gothic is made. Notes on Doré's illustrations for The Raven and their reception and a survey of other illustrators of The Raven, particularly Eduard Manet follows. The comparison between Manet's and Doré's illustrations is investigated. The concluding remarks note how the relationship of word and image between Doré and Poe uncovers new information about both the poem and the illustrations. The importance of Romanticism and the Gothic is also noted. The conclusion states how new light on Doré's work makes these twenty six rarely considered illustrations more noteworthy. The study ends with a series of appendices, the text of The Raven by Poe, the twenty six illustrations by Doré and a bibliography.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Michaelis School of Fine Art

Year dc:date.issued

1991

Author dc:creator

• Stanley, Keith R

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Salazar, Philippe-Joseph

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22446

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/22446