Rossini
1869
Imagine the rock star of 19th-century opera, Gioachino Rossini, in his final sleep. Gustave Doré, a giant of Romantic illustration, captured this intimate deathbed portrait in 1869 based on a photograph. You can see the famous composer of 'The Barber of Seville' looking surprisingly peaceful with a crucifix on his chest—a quiet end for a man who wrote such energetic music. The oval framing gives it the feel of a cherished memorial keepsake, freezing the moment the music stopped forever.
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