Gilliat Seized by the Octopus at The Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon

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Toilers of the Sea, or Les Travailleurs de la Mer in French, is a classic novel written by Victor Hugo and published in 1866. The book pays tribute to the island of Guernsey, where Hugo lived in exile for an impressive 15 years. In this novel, Hugo skillfully transforms everyday events into high-stakes drama using the setting of a small island community as his backdrop. Les Travailleurs de la Mer is set just after the tumultuous Napoleonic Wars and explores the profound impact of the Industrial Revolution on the island's residents. At the heart of the story is Gilliat, the protagonist, who must confront his own demons in a thrilling battle against an octopus at sea. This iconic scene was immortalized by Joseph Carlier's powerful sculpture, which earned second prize at the prestigious Salon exhibition of 1879.