The new exhibition at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, “Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo,” showcases the lesser-known illustrative works of renowned French author Victor Hugo. It features around 70 drawings primarily from his exile period, illustrating his artistic evolution and political sentiments, and is open until June 29.
Victor Hugo, the celebrated French author of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Les Miserables,” also had a lesser-known talent for illustration, showcased in the new exhibition, “Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo.” This exhibition, which opened at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, highlights his passion for drawing, 140 years after his death. The notes indicate that while he was a prominent 19th-century figure, drawing served as his private refuge.
Hugo’s artistic creations, featuring imaginary castles, monsters, and seascapes, are said to be as poetic as his literary works. The Royal Academy states that his drawings inspired various literary movements, including the Romantics and Symbolists, with Vincent van Gogh describing them as “astonishing things.” Despite being shared only with close friends, Hugo ensured the preservation of his works by donating them to France’s national library, but they have rarely been displayed publicly.
The exhibition includes around 70 drawings, primarily created between 1850 and 1870 during Hugo’s exile on Guernsey, where he produced significant literature such as “Les Chatiments” and “Les Miserables.” It charts Hugo’s artistic evolution from caricatures and travel sketches to dramatic landscapes and abstraction experiments.
While Hugo’s writings often tackled social issues, his drawings vary in tone. For example, “Mushroom” features a whimsical giant toadstool, whereas “Ecce Lex” reflects his political sentiments with the portrayal of a hanged man. The exhibition will run until June 29, offering a unique insight into Hugo’s artistic legacy.
The exhibition reveals the multifaceted genius of Victor Hugo beyond his literary fame. It showcases roughly 70 of his rarely seen drawings, illustrating his artistic evolution and political beliefs. Running until June 29, it highlights the intersection of his artistic and literary talents, enhancing the understanding of this iconic figure in both art and literature.
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