The Justification of Susanna 

Gustave Doré made this engraving, "The Justification of Susanna," using black ink. At first glance, the stark contrast between light and shadow creates a dramatic, almost theatrical scene. The composition is divided into distinct vertical layers, from the ornate architecture at the top to the agitated crowd below, giving it a sense of depth. Doré uses line and texture to build the drama of the narrative. The densely packed figures, rendered with detailed cross-hatching, convey a feeling of unrest and movement. The linear perspective draws the eye to the upper tiers, where figures look down upon the scene. The structural arrangement emphasizes the hierarchy of the setting with the crowd in disarray and the judges looking down upon the unfolding events. The use of light and shadow not only accentuates the emotional intensity but also serves to highlight key figures and their actions. In essence, Doré's "The Justification of Susanna" is an exercise in visual rhetoric.