The Royal Academy of Arts in London hosts “Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo,” featuring 70 illustrations of the renowned author. The exhibition showcases Hugo’s artistic passion and the influence of his drawings on various art movements.
Victor Hugo, celebrated for his novels like Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, is also an accomplished illustrator. A new exhibition in London, titled “Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo” at the Royal Academy of Arts, features 70 of his drawings, showcasing his artistic passion.
The exhibition illustrates Hugo’s inclination towards drawing, which provided him a private escape despite his public life as a major 19th-century figure in France. According to the Royal Academy, Hugo’s “ink and wash visions of imaginary castles, monsters and seascapes are as poetic as his writing.”
His drawings influenced many, including Romantic and Symbolist poets, alongside notable artists such as the Surrealists. Vincent van Gogh notably referred to Hugo’s illustrations as “astonishing things”. Initially, Hugo only shared his drawings with close friends but ensured their preservation by donating them to the national library of France.
The exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts shines a spotlight on Victor Hugo’s lesser-known talent as an illustrator. His drawings reflect his poetic vision and have significantly influenced various art movements. By sharing this passion, the exhibition commemorates Hugo’s legacy beyond literature, showcasing the depth of his creativity when he was in solitude.
Original Source: www.scmp.com