Salvador Dalí
This group of wood engravings are part of a larger series of illustrations for the Divine Comedy drawn by Salvador Dalí between 1951-1960 and interpreted into print. Dalí was commissioned by the Italian government to illustrate the work in celebration of the 700th anniversary of the poet’s birth in 1965. As an artist who had rejected religion, controversy surrounded Dalí’s appointment and the government ended the contract. So enthralled was he by Dante’s literature though, Dalí continued the project and collaborated with French publisher, Joseph Forêt. In 1963 Editions d’art Les Heures Claires published the complete and exquisite set of one hundred illustrations over six volumes.
The University of Melbourne owns six of this series.
The opening of The Divine Comedy begins with the lone figure of the writer, Dante, who has lost his way in a gloomy forest. This pilgrim and his journey through the afterlife, first through Hell, then Purgatory and finally, Paradise, could also be the journey of the artist or, indeed, anyone - including the viewer.
As Dante’s journey through Hell progresses, he is joined by his guide, the Roman poet Virgil. By Canto IX, they have reached the Fifth Circle of Hell and attempt to enter the city of Dis but are meet with three hellish Furies. These terrible hags, Alekto, Megaera and Tisiphone, threaten to turn Dante to stone, but Virgil covers his eyes, and an angel intervenes so that they are able to enter the city.
In the second section of the poem, Dante and Virgil climb Mount Purgatory, which is made up of seven terraces of suffering. They encounter many individuals who are being punished for their sins. In Canto VI, the souls of those who have died by violence beseech Dante to pray for them.
The idea that sin is a perverted version of love underpins the sufferings of Purgatory. At the fourth terrace are the souls who have committed the sin of accidia, or sloth, and have failed in the pursuit of love.
As he walks through the seventh terrace, the position of the sun casts Dante’s shadow which is noticed by a group of lustful shades who ask why he has a shadow, as if he were living. Before he replies, a second group of lustful beings emerge. They are the Sodomites, who kiss and embrace the first group of sinners.
Guided now by Beatrice, Dante’s idealised lover, the poet journeys through the nine spheres of Paradise. In Canto XII Dante is surrounded by two circles of souls; one of these souls, St Bonaventure comes forth to speak about and celebrate St Dominic, who fought to rid the Church of heretics.