Doré was one of the most influential illustrators of the 19th C. Grandville met him as a youthful prodigy. Zola knew him when both worked for the publisher Hachette. Nadar was a close friend; he collected Doré’s work, photographing him several times, including on his death-bed. Gautier, another good friend (among several whose work Doré illustrated), travelled to Spain with him. Liszt and Saint-Saëns — also among the music-loving Doré’s friends — played for him together. He knew Wagner, was devoted to Rossini (calling in to draw him the day after his death), and counted Bernhardt among his lovers.