Artwork
Sketch for "The Wolf Turned Shepherd" (recto)
Sketch for "The Wolf Turned Shepherd" (recto) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Gustave Doré. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Here’s a plainspoken look at this sketch by Doré.
A wolf in shepherd’s clothes stares straight at you. His teeth peek through a fake smile. One paw grips a crook like a toy.
Doré sketched this for a fable where the wolf’s disguise fails. The artist loved showing animals with human smarts and flaws.
Check Doré’s 1868 full print of *The Wolf Turned Shepherd* at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Overview
This drawing is a preparatory sketch for Gustave Doré's illustration of a fable. It depicts a wolf in a shepherd's disguise, showcasing the artist's characteristic attention to character and expression.
Subject & Meaning
The sketch illustrates a scene from a fable where a wolf, dressed as a shepherd, is discovered by the flock's caretaker. The wolf's direct gaze and subtle smile convey its cunning and overconfidence.
Technique & Style
Doré's sketch is characterized by its focus on the wolf's expressive face and gesture, rendered in a straightforward yet engaging style. The artist's ability to convey character through simple lines and minimal detail is evident.
History & Provenance
The final version of this illustration was published in 1867 as part of Doré's illustrations for The Fables of La Fontaine. The book was widely disseminated and reissued in various countries, contributing to Doré's reputation as a prominent illustrator.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré was a French printmaker, illustrator, painter, comics artist, caricaturist, and sculptor.
