Landscape with Two Ruined Castles

In addition to being a major presence in nineteenth-century French literature, Victor Hugo holds a unique position in the realm of the visual arts. His drawings established him as one of the most influential draftsmen of his time, a bridge between the romantics and the symbolists. It is the large-scale abstract works, such as this drawing, broadly handled, unclear, brooding, and mysterious, which are Hugo's greatest legacy. This particular drawing was obviously highly prized by Hugo; only his major works received lengthy dedications, and this drawing is inscribed on both the mat and frame. The inscription reads in part: "Standing, facing each other, they resemble two black giants ready for battle.”