Although he created many serious works for epic poems by great authors, Dore also illustrated many fairy tales, including Little Red Riding Hood and Cendrillon, or Cinderella. The story of Cinderella was just as much a cultural influence in the 19th century as it is today, as it is a story of unjust circumstances and the human ability to hope that magic can help us overcome those circumstances. It was in the 19th century that the Brother’s Grimm wrote the version of the story that was widely popular at the time. Their large compilation of their fairy tales was first published in 1812, and numerous editions followed the first for the next throughout the 19th century, all of which were extensively illustrated, including works from Gustave Dore.
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