Back to the thicket slunk The guilty serpent Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The drawing presents a scene steeped in narrative and symbolic weight. Here we observe a female figure positioned centrally within a dense, overgrown thicket. Her posture is one of poised vulnerability; she stands with her torso exposed, her gaze directed outward, seemingly towards an unseen observer. A single flower is held delicately in her hand, its presence both ornamental and potentially significant as a symbol of innocence or temptation.
To the left, partially obscured by foliage, another figure reclines, his posture suggesting contemplation or perhaps regret. His position relative to the central female implies a relationship – one of complicity, perhaps, or shared experience. The composition’s depth is established through layers of vegetation, creating an atmosphere of enclosure and mystery.
A serpentine form dominates the foreground, its sinuous body winding across the ground towards the viewer. Its scale suggests power and agency, while its retreat into the undergrowth hints at a clandestine action just concluded. The rendering of the serpent’s scales is meticulous, emphasizing its texture and physicality.
The artists use of light and shadow contributes to the overall mood. A diffused illumination highlights the female figure, drawing attention to her form and expression. The surrounding foliage is rendered in varying degrees of darkness, creating a sense of depth and concealing details within the thicket. This interplay of light and dark reinforces the narrative’s inherent ambiguity – the presence of both revelation and concealment.
Subtexts embedded within this scene revolve around themes of transgression, knowledge, and loss of innocence. The exposed figure suggests a breach of boundaries, while the serpents presence implies deception or temptation. The reclining figure adds another layer of complexity, hinting at shared responsibility or consequence. Ultimately, the drawing evokes a sense of profound narrative weight, inviting contemplation on the nature of human fallibility and the enduring power of mythic storytelling.