Overview

• 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.