MUNCHAUSEN AMONG THE BRIGANDS

Original 8 inch x 5 7/8 inch Engraving titled MUNCHAUSEN AMONG THE BRIGANDS.

”Arriving in Italy, Baron Munchausen falls among some highwaymen in the territory of Loretto, not far from Rome. The ragamuffins plunder the gallant general of a sum of money, the thousandth part of which would suffice to buy at Rome a plenary indulgence for all the band and their descendants from generation to generation. A miserable set of scarecrows they appear, lurking among the trees and rocks, under a lowering sky.”

Illustration by Gustave Doré (1832 – 1883). The most popular and successful French book illustrator of the middle of the 19th century. Doré became widely known for his illustrations to such books as Danté’s Inferno (1861), Don Quixote (1862), and the Bible (1866), and he helped to give European currency to the illustrated book of large format. He was so prolific that at one time he employed more than forty wood engravers. His work is characterized by an eclectic mix of Michelangelesque nudes, northern traditions of sublime landscape, and a highly spirited love of the grotesque and bizarre.

Engraved by Auguste Joliet (1839-1915).

Rudolf Erich Raspe (March 1736 – 16 November 1794) was a German librarian, writer, and scientist, called by his biographer John Patrick Carswell a “rogue”. He is best known for his collection of tall tales, The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen also known as Baron Munchausen’s Narrative of his Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia, originally a satirical work with political aims.

Illustration for Rudolf Erich Raspe’s “The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen”.

This edition from Cassell’s ‘Doré Gallery’ published in 1885.

Page size 12 1/4 inch x 9 1/8 inch

The engraving is in very good condition. Reverse side blank.