Death on the Pale Horse

This engraving by Gustave Doré illustrates a passage from the Book of Revelation (chapter 6, verse 8): when the fourth seal is opened, a pale horse appears. Its rider is named Death, and Hades follows with him.

The rider, wrapped in a great drape that covers his head, lifts a pale, hollow face towards the sky. He holds a scythe, blade turned downwards, and his mount gallops above the clouds, mane flying. Behind him comes a swarm of bat-winged creatures, from which a beast with gaping jaws emerges. The whole image rests on contrast: the lit horse and clouds stand out against an almost black sky.

Doré drew his compositions, then specialist engravers cut the wood. This plate bears the name of Héliodore Pisan, his principal interpreter. It is one of the 241 illustrations of La Sainte Bible published in Tours in 1866 by Alfred Mame, a two-volume edition that went on to enjoy huge success in England.

In the Héritage range, this work is linked to Tom Cuzor, who acknowledges Gustave Doré as an influence.

Original work: Gustave Doré (French, 1832-1883), draughtsman, and Héliodore Pisan (French, 1822-1890), engraver, Death on the Pale Horse (Mort sur le cheval pâle), wood engraving, illustration for La Sainte Bible selon la Vulgate (Tours, Alfred Mame, 1866). Public domain work; digital image from Wikimedia Commons (scan of a 20th-century Swedish Bible).

This art print is a reproduction, printed in France by Atelier Kyodai Print on 230 gsm premium matte paper. It is available in two sizes: 30 × 40 cm and 50 × 70 cm.

Demons, fallen angels and raging skies: Gustave Doré, the engraver who gave a face to the great myths of the Western world.

Gustave Doré page →

230 gsm premium matte paper
Printed by Atelier Kyodai Print

Paper and process are chosen with the artist and the workshop to respect the original work. Every copy is checked before shipping. Printed in France.

Magnetic hanging bars: one 2 cm-wide natural wood bar at the top, one at the bottom, holding the print with magnets, with no holes and no damage to the paper. Lengths of 31, 51 and 71 cm to match the sizes, with a hanging cord. Delivered in the tube with your print.

Wooden frame: natural-finish wooden frame with a protective plexiglass front. Available for the 30 × 40 and 50 × 70 cm sizes. Your work arrives already framed, ready to hang: it ships in a box, not in a tube.

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