It-s Thais the prostitute who answered at the words of her lover -Don-t you owe Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The drawing presents a stark and dramatic scene set within a rugged, mountainous landscape. A figure, draped in flowing white fabric, dominates the upper portion of the composition, seemingly suspended on a rocky outcrop bathed in a concentrated light source. Beside this figure stands another individual, facing it with an expression difficult to discern precisely but suggesting a mixture of apprehension and engagement.
The lower part of the drawing is populated by several male figures arranged at varying levels of prominence. One man sits upon a broken column, his head bowed, conveying a sense of despair or defeat. Further down, three other men are positioned closer to the viewer; their postures suggest a state of vulnerability and perhaps even subjugation. A final figure lies prone in the foreground, partially obscured by shadow, with an arm raised as if reaching out or pleading.
The artist utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark to heighten the emotional intensity of the scene. The bright illumination focused on the upper figures draws attention to their interaction, while the deep shadows enveloping the lower portion emphasize a sense of confinement and suffering. The rocky terrain itself contributes to this atmosphere, its jagged edges and imposing scale reinforcing the feeling of entrapment and isolation.
Subtly, the arrangement of the figures suggests a hierarchy or power dynamic. The figure in white appears elevated both physically and symbolically, while those below seem trapped within their circumstances. The posture of the man on the broken column implies a loss of status or authority, while the prone figure’s outstretched arm hints at a desperate appeal for assistance.
The overall impression is one of moral reckoning and consequence. The scene evokes themes of debt, repentance, and the potential for redemption, though the ambiguity of the figures expressions leaves room for multiple interpretations regarding their fates.