Artwork Page for Dante and Virgil Meeting the Shades of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo

Details / Information for Dante and Virgil Meeting the Shades of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo

Dante and Virgil Meeting the Shades of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo

1851

Ary Scheffer

(Dutch, 1795–1858)
Culture
Netherlands
Medium
oil on fabric
Measurements
Framed: 45.5 x 53 x 7.5 cm (17 15/16 x 20 7/8 x 2 15/16 in.); Unframed: 24.7 x 33.2 cm (9 3/4 x 13 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 1980.40
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Based on The Divine Comedy, Dante's epic poem of the 1300s, this painting depicts Dante and the ancient Roman poet Virgil encountering the souls of Paolo and Francesca on a visit to Hell. Although in love with Paolo, Francesca was forced to marry his deformed brother for political reasons. When the jilted husband discovered the lovers embracing, he murdered them, apparently consigning them to Hell due to their adulterous affair.
A horizontally oriented oil painting depicts four people with light skin tones against a dark, featureless background. On our left, Francesca, with long black hair, and Paolo embrace nude while floating diagonally within a white cloth. On our right, Virgil and Dante stand in deep shadow and watch the pair. Dante wears a red hood and robe. Light illuminates the lovers, with the two observers receding into shadow.

Dante and Virgil Meeting the Shades of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo

1851

Ary Scheffer

(Dutch, 1795–1858)
Netherlands

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