An electrifying, intense, and important original oil painting by Eric Pape for a 1928 Edition of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. A dark and macabre masterwork from a climactic mob scene in this brooding despairing tale, the work is featured as a full page color-plate on page 488 in the chapter “An Awkward Friend.” An artist signed hard cover edition of the book is included with the sale and the work is nicely matted and framed in a period frame behind glass.

This is a shining example of Eric Pape’s classic style of illustrating, and features remarkable use of color and detailing. Pape was a well-regarded and often-exhibited artist from the turn of the 20th century until his death in 1938. After opening his own illustration school in 1898, he taught N.C. Wyeth, whose style is influenced by Pape’s own.

Pape is best remembered as a prolific illustrator of children’s books and historical fantasies, as well as a artistic contributor to Scribners, Cosmopolitan, and Century magazine. His original art is highly coveted and recently his pastel work has fetched $45,000.00 at a Christie’s New York auction. This epic pastel is one of the nicest examples of Pape’s work I have come across.