Victor Hugo's Experimental Drawings Spotlighted in Major London Exhibition

The Royal Academy's 'Astonishing Things' presents 70 rarely seen works, revealing the famed writer's innovative artistic legacy.

The exhibition, opening March 21, 2025, at the Royal Academy in London, features 70 of Victor Hugo's private drawings, created between 1834 and 1875.
Hugo's drawings are characterized by their experimental techniques, including ink-soaked lace, stencils, and abstract splashes, which prefigured Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.
The artworks often depict fantastical, atmospheric scenes, such as gothic castles, surreal octopuses, and anthropomorphic mushrooms, with little to no human presence.
Hugo's art reflects his political and humanitarian values, including opposition to slavery and the death penalty, as seen in works like 'Ecce Lex.'
Admired by figures like Vincent van Gogh and Max Ernst, Hugo's drawings blend Romanticism, Symbolism, and Surrealism, showcasing his multifaceted creativity beyond literature.