The Envious 

Curator: This photorealistic engraving is titled "The Envious" and it is the creation of Gustave Dore. The way the composition renders a scene from the "Divine Comedy," it almost feels theatrical. Editor: Absolutely. The overwhelming mood is one of utter dejection. Note how the figures huddle together, shrouded in these heavy drapes. The image is overwhelmingly monochromatic; do you know if it’s related to anything in particular? Curator: Considering Dore's broader body of work and the themes present within Romanticism, we can see "The Envious" as an exploration into human suffering. These figures aren't just suffering physically; they are weighed down by social, psychological, and spiritual burdens, indicative of larger power structures and injustices present throughout history. Editor: Visually, these figures’ cloaks obscure their bodies almost completely. Notice the heavy folds in the fabric. The lines evoke classical drapery, but here they're twisted and confining. What symbols and imagery resonated most profoundly, shaping our understanding of human experience through an almost anthropological lens? Curator: Envy has often been viewed as a “feminine” sin. Though not explicitly gendered in this image, the grouping of the shrouded figures reminds me of how women are socially constructed to compete. Dore is capturing how systems can actively pit people against each other, so it’s interesting that the caption notes that they are covered in vile sackcloth which implies moral corruption or destitution. Editor: A poignant observation. The lines converge at a high focal point near the top center, drawing the eyes upwards before redirecting us to the human suffering below. This could imply both our earthly existence, and that of divine judgment or intervention from above, but from the image it seems they have been forsaken by any type of divinity. Curator: Precisely. Art is a historical document and “The Envious” encourages us to interrogate these narratives by focusing on lived experiences through a historical, cultural, and critical lens. Editor: It’s a reminder that sometimes the heaviest burdens are those we inflict on ourselves, perpetuated by societal structures and ingrained patterns.