Focusing on the little-known but remarkable drawings of Victor Hugo,
this book sheds light on the novelist, poet, and playwright's artistic
practice and creative brilliance.
Accompanying a major exhibition, this book brings together around 120 of
the most significant examples of Victor Hugo's works on paper. It
features previously unpublished drawings and insightful texts that
reveal Hugo's extraordinary talents as a draftsman. Remarkably
spontaneous and receptive to the myriad possibilities of medium and
materials, Hugo produced experimental and enigmatic compositions, from
haunting renditions of castles and ruins to ethereal and abstract forms
and stains. This volume includes essays which place Hugo's drawings
within the context of artistic movements in 19th-century France, closely
examine his cosmic landscapes and visions of the night, delve into
Hugo's processing of ideas and imagination, and analyze a central pair
of opposing forces in his work--stones and stains. This lavishly
illustrated book presents the full breadth of Hugo's talent. Hugo's
drawings afford a greater insight into the creative brilliance that
brought forth some of the most indelible stories of all time.
Copublished by the Hammer Museum and DelMonico Books
