SIX CENTURIES OF BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION HD

[@wemblyfez]

What a diverse group of illustrations! I first saw Dali's Bible illustrations in high school when our Congregational minster plopped the Bible in front of me and said, "You might be interested in seeing these." I was a budding cartoonist at the time and didn't know who Dali was but those illustrations blew me away. So powerful! Later, when I moved to Paris, I saw the original lithographs at the Dali Museum and was not disappointed. Glad you included Crumb's GENESIS. I briefly met him after I'd seen a retrospective Crumb art in Paris, the originals of GENESIS included. All he said about them was, "Did you see all the whiteout I used?" Pure Crumb...Another great video, Pete and a great overview. Hope your New Year is going well. Cheers!.

[@petebeard]

Hi and thanks as ever for your considerate response to the video. I was one of those expecting Crumb's Genesis to be as controversial as his earlier output for Zap. I'm glad to have been wrong. Funny story about the whiteout. Somebody told me that despite what is generally thought Beardsley used a lot too. I took some students to the Comic museum in Brussels a few years back and their post-digital minds struggled to understand its use.

[@wemblyfez]

@@petebeard HA! That bit about your students made me laugh out loud. Feeling a bit under the weather today ( just a slight cold in this chilly weather) so that story was a treat. Take care and thanks for the day's bright spot!

[@albertcscs]

Hi Pete, these are getting better (and longer) as you go on. If there were an Emmy or other award for videos, you would surely be a winner. YT should only have more videos of this caliber, no wonder you have almost 90,000 subscribers.

[@petebeard]

Hello Albert and I hope all is well in Chile for you. I probably owe you an e-mail but I've been pretty self-absorbed recently, and this damn video exhausted me in the making. I'll think twice before embarking on another of the same kind. Solo spots are so much quicker and easier to put together.

[@thaisstone5192]

(25) INCOMPARABLE!!! Such an eye-opening experience being able to see SO MANY different artists' visual interpretations of the Christian bibles. I'd nominate this for an Oscar, if I could!!!.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and I'm delighted that you appreciate this video. It took a lot of research so your verdict on the outcome is most welcome.

[@jeremyacton4569]

Thanks again for a GREAT presentation, Pete. I can see a lot of effort went into the research and editing. Although I am not of the faith, I must admit that the bible is a very inspiring and epic source of symbols, and stories for one's own art. I look forward to your next production.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment, and I'm of the opinion it doesn't matter whether we believe or not, as you point out the images remain potent in our collective history.

[@bigblue6917]

Thanks, Pete. Superb as usual. I was particularly struck by the dramatic visions of John Martin as well as the magnificent illustrations of Gustave Dore and his contemporary Alexandre Bida. Thanks.

[@petebeard]

Thanks as usual, and yes John Martin's work was absolutely visionary.

[@gabriellew6467]

In an effort to find out why some of the always interesting, and impeccably presented videos of yours get fewer views, I now go for "the road less travelled". Disregarding the very high numbers of very well known artists, which speak for themselves and also one that lacked commentary and had unusually few views. Watching the bible illustrations made it once more clear how much work you must be putting into your videos. From Dürer (wonderful artist) to Dali (who surprised me with these illustrations) to Grabianski, once before appearing in a fairytale video of yours. Remarkable as always, thank you. Now for more "less loved" videos

[@petebeard]

Well, thanks for your dedication to the cause. Maybe the less viewed videos will eventualy catch up to an extent, but either way I'm not in this to chase numbers and I make the videos I want to make anyway. If viewers are drawn to the low hanging fruit that's their business.

[@MidwestGomez]

Barry Moser's bible was also sold as a "smaller," more affordable edition and can still be found for purchase online for less than $40. Even this scaled down version is a massive chunk of a book and well worth owning.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. I must admit I had never heard of him until I started the video. What an undertaking.

[@MidwestGomez]

@@petebeardHe was the king of wood engraving back in the 90s when I was studying printmaking in art school. His illustrated "Alice in Wonderland" is a classic.

[@justicecommander9455]

I don't want to imagine the number of artist that got into the cutting floor in order to not make this video a 2 hour retrospective on biblical art.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment, and maybe some day I'll release the epic director's cut...

[@JovanDacic]

​@@petebeard The Director's Cut would be most entertaining. I was mentally calculating the likelihood of Arthur Maxwell's "The Bible Story" showing up, and was a bit surprised when it didn't. This 10-book series was a common sight in American waiting rooms from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s.

[@petebeard]

@@JovanDacic Hello again, and I completely missed this - and I'm sure quite a few others - in my researches.

[@johngraham4053]

Wow what an undertaking you got into Pete with a brilliant outcome. So much research in there. Thank you very much enjoyed.

[@petebeard]

Many thanks for your appreciation. I must this might have been the toughest research I've ever done.

[@treasuresunderfoot7876]

I was so taken with John Martin's highly detail work. I had to pause and zoom because of the immense detail, depth and atmosphere he created. I was also surprised by Rick Griffins take on Bible topics. I never knew about that period in his life. Very visually pleasing and stylish. Great work Pete.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot as usual. And I must say that John Martin's epic images really blew me away. How someone could possess imagination and technical excellence on that scale is beyond me.

[@rorystapleton2838]

What a wonderful post. Never realised so many of my favourite illustrators have been inspired to render senes from the Bible. Thanks, Pete, for educating me so engagingly yet again.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the appreciation and its always a pleasure to hear you enjoyed the video in question.

[@johngraham4053]

P S the illustration in the book Eyewitness are very inspiring for my art, so ordered a copy. Thanks for bringing it to my attention Pete

[@petebeard]

I was quite surprised to discover sich a fascinating enterprise in this relative cultural wasteland of ours.

[@irangel1958]

I've been watching your old video posts recently they're as lovely as when I watched them the first time. This new one is beautiful, educational and a lovely way to start my frigid week here in the states. A nice cup of coffee and sitting back to watch a truly inspired gift. Thank you. I'll probably watch this one several times.

[@petebeard]

Hello and my thanks for your particularly welcome favourable opinion of the channel content. And I'm pleased you consider this video to have been a worthwhile project too.

[@leftpastsaturn67]

Irrespective of my opinion on religion, faith of all kinds has produced breathtaking and timeless art, be it illustrative or otherwise. I suspect that like many people, it came as a surprise that both Bisley and Crumb had produced work of this kind. Excellent compilation as always Mr Beard.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your comment, and as you say it really doesn't matter whether we as individuals believe in the Bible or not. There were a lot of agreeable surprises from more recent times for me too, although I was well aware of Griffin and Crumb.

[@tonygohagan2766]

Talk about Timely, Pete: I've been looking at Biblical Illustration this weekend as I have a new Bible coming and want to emulate an edition I can't afford, (called the Humble Lamb Bible, which features Doré's work - depending on the edition, either the full set, or 60 or so illustrations) by buying a copy of the Dore (It's reasonably priced) and adding them to my Bible myself... Then I wondered if I'd be better off putting together various Illustrators works instead of Doré alone. I came across John Martin and was blown away by his 'Creation of Light' but couldn't find much else I liked. Not even the Ladybird Books set came up in my searches! Thus, this video is a great resource and will help me put a collection of Illustrations together, favouring the Woodcuts. Ugo da Carpi is stupendous! Thank You! I have Rick Griffin, both his beautiful Anthology, (it's out of print, expensive to buy now, the hunt is on for an affordable one) and Gospel of John in Paperback, it's A5 and Black and White, the Hardback version is super-duper expensive! Anyway, Thanks Again... and Happy New Year!

[@petebeard]

Thanks as ever for your favourable response to the video. And I'm glad to have introduced you to some illustrated versions you didn't previously know about. I must admit a lot of the research was a revelation (no pun intended) for me too.

[@gabrielerosa665]

Simply Great! It deserves some many revisits, Segio Toppi excellent illustrator and with powerful compositions.....what can we expect for the next Pete's video if every new is better than the previous one? As the beggining : great work....

[@petebeard]

Hi again and thanks as usual for your appreciation and comment. There were quite a few new discoveries for me when I was making this, and Sergio Toppi was one of the most interesting, I agree.

[@RetroAiUnleashed]

Thank you! God bless from Canada! 🥰🍁🙏🏻

[@petebeard]

You are very welcome and thanks for your good wishes.

[@davewalter1216]

Excellent survey Pete. some of those illustrations were amazing! Maybe even awesome in the original sense, especially the one you started off with - Babylon maybe.

[@petebeard]

Thaks a lot for your comment, and I must admit that many of them as you rightly point out induce awe in the viewer, even if not religious. John Martin's vast scenes in particular, including his intro picture.

[@ingmarvanderhoek6314]

Thanks again for enlightening us on this logical source for great illustrations that really belongs in your wonderful series of videos.

[@petebeard]

And thanks again for your very welcome appreciation.

[@secretshaman189]

Another wonderful review, I always see/ learn something new with your videos! So glad you mentioned Dore, Blake, Dali, Chagall and even Crumb! Biblical stories are powerful and have influenced millions, more than modern art.

[@petebeard]

Thanks as usual for your appreciation. I must admit to having been disappointed by the lukewarm response this video has attracted, so your favourable comment is more than usually welcome.

[@janepage3608]

Fascinating, thank you!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of this video.

[@artscience9981]

Wow! What an amazing collection of works inspired by the Bible! Thanks so much for your skillful work!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation. It's particularly welcome as it's not doing too well in terms of views, unfortunately.

[@Wess2631]

Fantastic video again Pete! What a collection, it must have taken a lot of research! The different styles is really joyfull to see! I was really surprised to see Simon Bisley´s work in this video, as I have always enjoyed his comic work such as Judge Dredd! I must admit i am biased when it comes to Gustave Doré, because I love all his work. I have 8 to 10 books with his engravings and the fact he was autodidact with that amount of skill is mindblowing!! His engravings of Old London is fantastic! Really looking forward to the next video. Love from Denmark🥰

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your enthusiastic response to this video. I'm particularly grateful as it's performing rather badly compared to others. I was rather proud of it but that's life I suppose.

[@hellinas77]

Υπέροχη παρουσίαση ενός τόσου τεράστιο σε όγκο και διαφορετικές χρονικές και καλλιτεχνικές δραστηριότητες. Παρουσίασες καλλιτέχνες που ούτε ξέραμε ούτε έβαζε το μυαλό μας ότι ασχολήθηκαν . Ένα μεγάλο ευχαριστώ για αυτή την Τιτάνια προσπάθεια.💖🇬🇷🍉

[@petebeard]

Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ για τη γενναιόδωρη εκτίμησή σας. Έχετε δίκιο - ήταν ένα τεράστιο έργο και θα το σκεφτώ δύο φορές πριν αναλάβω ένα παρόμοιο έργο σύντομα. Είμαι εξαντλημένος!

[@jaybradley9083]

Outstanding presentation, as usual! I was greatly surprised to see Robert Crumb among the artists.

[@petebeard]

Thanks fr the comment. And I remember hearing that Crumb was going to produce a comic book Genesis, and thinking it would be like a Biblical Zap extravaganza. I'm kind of glad I was wrong.

[@theotherandrew5540]

Great book of stories, inspiring amazing art. I wonder if you can find similar illustrations of some of those fabulous stories in the Hindu tradition? Or others … the Roerich father and son? I’d love to see/hear your commentary on them.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot as usual for your appreciation. And having made this one ( a much bigger and research-heavy venture than any other I've made) I think I'll probably leave religion for others more knowledgeable than me to cover.

[@theotherandrew5540]

@@petebeard Wise decision. I was really fascinated by the amazing work you unearthed on the biblical representations. Thank you again for your diligence.

[@plumbthumbs9584]

Wonderful episode, thank you!

[@petebeard]

Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@mikedirle520]

So many techniques and ideas of illustration! I loved this! Shared with my 16 year old budding artist! Tnx!

[@petebeard]

Thanks as ever. It's the amzing diversity of approaches to illustration that has kept me fascinated by it all my life, and I hope your offspring feels the same way.

[@therealdrawingpathos]

Wow you really covered it all. Excellent work. So happy to see Bisley make the list. I bought that book when it came out. I see a heavy John Martin influence in some of Simons' biblical drawings. Huge fan of the Biz.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. Even though it's the longest video I've made I reckon I left out about as much as I included. And I must cinfess I hadn't previously known about Bisley's wonderful take on the subject.

[@CELTICFOXSTUDIO77777]

VERY COOL TOPIC, BRAVO PETE 😊

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation.

[@leeburks4540]

I saw a simple magazine reproduction of Martin's 'The Fall of Babylon' and was fascinated by the depth and scale of it. I ordered a print many years later from the British Museum and it proudly hangs on my wall, nicely framed.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment, and the scale of Martin's visual imagination makes my jaw drop.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

My favourite Biblical art was by the Renaissance painters and Salvador Dali. I love Dali's 'Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubicus)' I have the Dover publications of The Dore Bible Illustrations that I also love a lot.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks again for your comment and appreciation.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

@@petebeard You're welcome

[@wynnschaible]

Truly incredible, the equally profound stylistic diversity and personal faith shining through these works have made me feel better about the creative possibilities of our times than just about anything else! And as God told Elijah in a bad moment for him, I yet have 7000 in Israel that you don't know anything about! The story of this art, I doubt not, still has chapters reserved for the future!

[@petebeard]

Thanks as usual. Maybe one day I'll release the director's cut - more than twice as long.

[@wynnschaible]

@@petebeard Well I for one will watch the whole thing!

[@jameskirk7762]

Hi there. Superb Collection of Illustrations and artists. I still go with Dore but still , I would put them all in my libary. As always have a nice one. Looking forward to your next video. Greetings from Germany

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of this video. I must say that as much as I admire Doré it was the John Martin illustrations which most impressed me - such epic scenes.

[@aikidoshi007]

That's beautifully done Pete! Thanks, as always.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and my thanks for the comment.

[@JLRoberson]

On Nestor Redondo: he also did the 1975 DC Comics tabloid-sized BIBLE, done over Joe Kubert's layouts, which covers Genesis up to Lot's wife's saltifying. For me this was the first time I saw ANY illustrated Bible; I was 6.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for your comment. I must confess that DC edition didn't crop up in my researches.I did find some other American religious comics but they weren't very well drawn so I opted just for Redondo.

[@geoffreypiltz271]

Great research as always. Is there a book available of John Martin's Bible illustrations? I would like to be able to study them as inspiration for my black & white photography.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the favourable comment. And there is a book titled Apocalypse available online, although I haven't seen the contents and it's priced at £100. More than I'd care to spend speculatively, so I'll settle for the relatively large number of picture downloads to admire his work by.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

An excellent overview!! I was surprised with D'Achille as I was only familiar with his covers for the Ballantine Mars books by Burroughs (which I found muddy and unappealing compared to the colorful Abbett covers). I was waiting for the Bisley contributions and was not disappointed! I've seen his portfolio and even though they are quite powerful (in his usual hyperbolic approach) I find them dark and disturbing, but that's just me...

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot as usual for your comment. To be honest I'd never heard of him until I started making the video. And I was only peripherally aware of Mr. Bisleys work too, but I rather liked his overblown imagery. I'm not that hot on modern stuff.

[@mijiyoon5575]

*'those of us whose younger years are a distant memory'* so true *Pete* when we have to accept that we have more time behind us than in front of us, tis a sad fate we pay for having been born to begin with

[@djanthony6662]

Thanks for the lovely presentation, Pete. I would like to add Cornelis Jetses' work in Anne de Vries' Groot Vertelboek voor de Bijbelse Geschiedenis (Old & New Testament edition)

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and I'm sorry to not have included his work. There were many other omissions too. But he will be appearing in the unsung heroes series when I finally get back to it.

[@manuelavila869]

...arte y artistas impresivos, gracias por compartir...

[@petebeard]

Me alegro mucho de que aprecies este video. Muchas gracias.

[@TexRenner]

Thanks.

[@petebeard]

You're welcome of course.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Top notch, this has inspired me to head off to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool...monumental stuff ,sir,...cheers...E...😊😊😊

[@petebeard]

Hello Mr. Clabby - your comment reminds me that it's more than a decade since I travelled to that gallery. I can get along fine without the tate modern though. I hope the Walker hasn't suffered a similar fate to our once great Manchester gallery. It's now run by pink haired pierced wokeists and politically correct nonsense dominates many of the rooms. They even took down Hylas and the Nymphs because it was deemed sexist. Oops - there goes my blood pressure again.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

​@@petebeard...a stat dose of pre Raphaelite art poste haste...or monumental heroic scale stuff at the Walker...or some nautical stuff at the Williamson in our old pork pie of a town...Birkenhead...😊😊😊

[@Mary-gz1qw]

What soundtrack are you using??

[@petebeard]

I'm sorry but I can't tell you specifially as I don't keep the original files. But I can tell you that they all came from youtube's music library and were all (or most at least) taken from their cinematic music section.

[@Mary-gz1qw]

@@petebeard That's what i thought - thanks, Pete!

[@ThatOpalGuy]

I am not religiously inclined so I care nothing about the subject of these pieces, but as most all of western art was concentrated on the content, or focus, of religion I find it important to see these works. They are fascinating in composition and the mastery of these artists on the subjects depicted, the style and the MEDIUM of the periods they were produced is ABSOLUTELY amazing. Most of these works are just stunning in their own right.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your comment. And I agree that it really doesn't matter whether we believe in what the Bible says or not, the images remain iconic and as with any subject the illustrations in the right hands can simply delight the eye and induce an emotional response.

[@georgefrench1907]

Wonderful survey. Thank you.

[@petebeard]

Thanks - I'm grateful for your appreciation.

[@shuyamamoto5585]

Great presentation as always. I wish you included Harry Anderson's paintings of Jesus Christ though.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. I would have but they are strictly speaking not Biblical moments, even if the message is a Christian one.

[@natesaar3034]

Really cool. I would just add Basil Wolverton. Chester Brown also did some bible versus

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. And yes there were many omissions in the final edit.

[@jimkrahn7079]

Thanks Pete, well presented Cheers

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your comment.

[@seanvolk4202]

Brilliant work!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot.

[@manuelcapela7620]

👍Thank you.

[@petebeard]

You are welcome as always.

[@ArtUnbowed]

Thinking about illustrating the Quran but am not keen on the idea of sharing a house with Salman Rushdie 🤔

[@petebeard]

Now that would be a little reckless. Charlie Hebdo still haunts me.

[@PieterHanja]

Very nice work!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your comment.

[@philipdove6987]

I was interested to see how in my opinion the more recent the illustrations the better I like them. I am going to start looking at the bible shelves in charity book shops and see If I can get some of these illustrated Bibles.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment and there were a lot of agreeable surprises from more recent times for me too

[@annanicholson6925]

Fascinating!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation.

[@mueezadam8438]

12:18 let this be sober evidence of the meticulously crafted public image Salvador Dali presented to the world through his art. His religious views always served to garner goodwill with whatever clique would exalt him. First, he blasphemed for the supposed merit it gained him with the surrealists (his former idol, Picasso, however was a devout Catholic who recognized Dalí as the blatant sycophant he was). Later, when the totalitarian regime in Spain would co-opt Christianity for their violent repressions of dissidents, Dalí would miraculously become a fervent believer. Something which dubiously coincided with the prior foremost Christian artist, Picasso (having a brief crisis of faith at this time) falling out of favour with the regime. A hole Dalí was all too glad to ostentatiously fill; every gallery featuring heavy handed Christian iconography awkwardly married with whatever buzzwords were vogue at the time

[@petebeard]

Not a fan of his work, then?

[@mueezadam8438]

@@petebeard I quite enjoy his later works.

[@mijiyoon5575]

I'm not religious per se but, I can appreciate the artwork that depicts the fire of myth & imagination ... my opinion & I'm entitled to it. My Gran had a BIG Bible w/ a front section to add in family info ... I now have it & as a child I loved to look at all the color artwork pages it has in it. It is old & there is a section w/ b&w art that has an image of a person suffering from Leprosy; as a child I looked at this image all the time ...I have no idea why but, it was interesting in its horror

[@petebeard]

Many thanks for your various comments and responses to this video. I've never been able to get on board with any religion either but there's no denying the emotional power of many of these images. I feel about it like I do about propaganda - not wild about the message but love how it's been portrayed.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

Why didn't you mention Edie Harper's Bible prints?

[@petebeard]

For the same reason I left out hundreds of others. Im not here to pander to your personal preferences, and your brusque tone is not appreciated.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

@@petebeard I apologize for the tone; Edie was a relative of mine.

[@petebeard]

@@brucealanwilson4121 Yes I remember you saying that, and I so like her work. But the simple fact is that even some of my own personal favourites end up not being featured in a video such as this. I really don't mind if viewers mention someone they would have liked to see, but I would rather they at least concede that they find the video otherwise watchable. That was the bit that got my goat. Onwards and upwards...

[@8arrows]

The last drawing I did was of David and Goliath with the Philistine Army watching their stand off.

[@petebeard]

Thaks fir the comment. It has to be said the stories of the Bible always make good subjects.

[@8arrows]

@@petebeard thanks. I been drawing since the 3rd grade. I have rendered everything I could imagine. I was in a slump. Couldn’t think of what to do next. So I just started illustrating stories from the Bible.

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you.

[@petebeard]

You're welcome.

[@johnmitchelljr]

Artistic values aside, if you need to make some money illustrate the Bible. Thank you very good video.

[@petebeard]

...and thanks again.

[@mijiyoon5575]

✴✴✴✴✴

[@robert4724]

I'm an atheist, but one of my prize possessions is a copy of Barry Moser's bible. His engravings are powerful, stunning, a masterpiece of draftsmanship.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. I must admit I had never heard of Moser or his Bible until I started making the video. What an undertaking.

[@robert4724]

Thank you, I look forward every week to your videos, highly informative and inspiring. @@petebeard