The Ammonite and Moabite Armies Are Destroyed 

Gustave Dore created this scene of carnage to illustrate a passage from the Book of Chronicles. The image is dominated by fallen soldiers and broken weapons scattered across a desolate landscape under a stormy sky. Consider the recurring motif of the 'fallen warrior' throughout art history. From ancient Greek battle scenes to Renaissance depictions of biblical battles, it symbolizes the ephemerality of life and the brutal realities of war. It echoes in countless works of art across cultures and centuries. Note how the lifeless bodies arranged by Dore evoke a sense of despair and futility, mirroring the emotional impact of similar scenes in, say, the Bayeux Tapestry or even Picasso's "Guernica". The collective memory of conflict and human suffering resonates deeply within us. Dore masterfully taps into this subconscious reservoir of emotion, presenting us with a scene that is not merely a historical depiction, but a timeless reminder of the destructive potential inherent in human conflict. The scene doesn't just represent a past event; it evokes an ever-present emotional reality.