The Vale of Tears is inspired by St Matthew’s Gospel which recalls the words of Christ: “Come to me all you who labour and I will give you rest”. As a throng of onlookers stand at the threshold of death, Gustave Doré summons up the light of faith which triumphs over the pain and death.
Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps, In the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set. For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.
Ps. 83:6-8
It shows Christ partially up a mountain side, carrying his cross, turned back and beckoning the people in the valley to follow him, as if to say, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt. 16:23). Yet he beckons with such a glow of warmth and sweetness that He also seems to say, “Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.” (Mt. 11:28-30)
The people in the valley are from all ranks, and ages and walks of life: men, women, and children, shepherds, kings, soldiers, infirm, and so many more. All of them are wearied, some fainting away, and some on the ground as if dead. Mothers embrace their children in joy at the sight of Christ, others throw up their hands in celebration, and others point the way to Him.
Suffering humanity turns towards the figure of the redeemer Christ carrying his cross. The light which radiates from his frail silhouette illuminates an arid, mountainous landscape. The crowd’s throng to these steep slopes: sovereigns and beggars, children and the elderly, men and women. Their clothes conjure up the Middle East, the cradle of Christianity.
The artist, Gustave Doré (1832-1883) was a French engraver, painter, caricature artist, political cartoonist, and illustrator. In his youth he showed an exceptional talent for the arts and was producing published works by the age of 15. He produced a massive volume of work over his 50 years, and never married. He lived with his mother his whole life, and died, heartbroken, shortly after she passed.
Doré was raised a Catholic and sought calm in his Christian faith. His fascination with Christ leaps out from the paintings in the Doré Gallery. This consists of some twenty large canvases commissioned from the artist in 1867, following the huge success of his illustrated Holy Bible.
The Bible illustrated by Dore occupied many of my hours – and I think probably gave me many nightmares.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Gustave Doré
Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré was a French artist, as a printmaker, illustrator, painter, comics artist, caricaturist, and sculptor. He is best known for his prolific output of wood-engravings, especially those illustrating classic books, including 241 wood-engravings that illustrate scenes from the Bible.
Painter, Illustrator, Wood-engraver
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