Nor only tears Rained at their eyes but high winds worse within Began to rise Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The drawing presents a scene steeped in melancholy and despair. Two figures, seemingly male, occupy the foreground, positioned against the imposing trunk of a large tree. Their posture and attire suggest a state of vulnerability and loss; they appear unclothed, exposed both physically and emotionally. The figure standing leans heavily on the tree, his arms raised as if in supplication or anguish. His body is tense, conveying a sense of internal struggle. The other figure lies prone at the base of the tree, head bowed, posture slumped, embodying utter dejection.
The surrounding environment contributes significantly to the overall atmosphere. A dense forest envelops them, its trees rendered with intricate detail, their gnarled branches reaching upwards like skeletal fingers. The ground is uneven and overgrown, adding to the sense of wildness and abandonment. Light falls dramatically upon the figures, highlighting their forms while leaving much of the background in shadow, intensifying the feeling of isolation.
The composition directs attention towards the interaction between the two individuals and the tree. The tree itself acts as a silent witness, its massive presence symbolizing permanence and perhaps indifference to human suffering. It could be interpreted as representing natures power or the weight of fate.
Subtly, there’s an implication of transgression or expulsion. Their nakedness suggests a loss of innocence, a fall from grace. The desolate setting reinforces this notion – they are cast out, adrift in a wilderness that offers no comfort. The title accompanying the image – Nor only tears Rained at their eyes but high winds worse within Began to rise – hints at an internal turmoil as profound as any external hardship. It suggests not merely sorrow, but a tempest of emotions threatening to overwhelm them.
The artist’s use of line and shading creates a palpable sense of texture and depth, enhancing the emotional impact of the scene. The drawing is rendered in a style that evokes a classical sensibility, lending it a timeless quality and suggesting universal themes of loss, regret, and the human condition.