But Virgile tells me -What are you looking at. Why are you still looking at thos Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The drawing presents a stark and unsettling scene set within a deeply shadowed canyon or ravine. The composition is dominated by a sense of oppressive enclosure; towering rock formations frame the view, their jagged peaks disappearing into a hazy upper region. A dark void occupies the lower portion of the image, serving as both background and stage for the figures depicted.
At the forefront, several nude male figures are arranged in postures of despair and suffering. They appear to be slumped or prostrate on a raised mound of earth or rock, their bodies contorted with anguish. Some cover their faces with their hands, while others raise their arms as if in protest or supplication. The rendering emphasizes muscularity but also vulnerability; the figures are not idealized representations of strength, but rather embodiments of torment.
Behind these suffering individuals stand two robed men. One, seemingly older and more authoritative, gestures towards the scene with a questioning expression. He is accompanied by another figure who appears to be responding to his inquiry. The contrast between their upright posture and dignified attire versus the prostrate figures below highlights a clear distinction in status or fate. Their positioning suggests an observer role, as if they are witnessing a spectacle of suffering rather than participating in it.
The artist’s use of chiaroscuro – the dramatic interplay of light and shadow – is crucial to the drawings impact. The stark contrast intensifies the emotional weight of the scene, emphasizing the figures’ isolation and despair. Light seems to emanate from an unseen source behind the robed men, casting long shadows across the foreground and further isolating the suffering individuals.
Subtly, the image conveys themes of punishment, regret, and the burden of witnessing human misery. The dialogue referenced in the title – But Virgile tells me -What are you looking at. Why are you still looking at those – suggests a moral imperative to turn away from suffering, yet also an inescapable compulsion to observe it. The drawing seems to explore the complexities of empathy and the psychological toll of confronting human pain. The barren landscape reinforces the sense of desolation and hopelessness, implying that these figures are trapped in a place devoid of redemption or solace.