Skip to Main Content

 Admission is always freeOpen today: 10:00  to 5:00  Directions             Play Artle            

                  -  Visit                      - Visit
                    - Getting Here
                    - Accessibility
                    - Tours, Guides & Maps
                    - Food & Drink
                    - Gallery Shops
                    - Visitor Policies 
                  -  Collection                      - Collection
                    - Highlights
                    - Search the Collection
                    - Artists Search
                    - Acquisition Highlights
                    - Stories
                    - Games 
                  -  Exhibitions                      - Exhibitions
                    - Current
                    - Special Installations
                    - Upcoming
                    - On Tour
                    - Past 
                  -  Calendar                      - Calendar
                    - Films
                    - Performances
                    - Talks
                    - Guided Tours
                    - After Hours
                    - Fun for Kids
                    - Festivals
                    - Workshops 
                  -  Learn                      - Learn
                    - Teachers
                    - Families
                    - Teens
                    - Adults
                    - Learning Resources
                    - Music Programs
                    - Film Programs 
                  -  Conservation                      - Conservation
                    - Projects
                    - Publications
                    - Resources 
                  -  Research                      - Research
                    - The Center
                    - Publications
                    - Make an Appointment
                    - Archives
                    - Library
                    - NGA Online Editions 
                  -  Support                      - Support
                    - Donate Now
                    - National Membership
                    - Circle Membership
                    - Leadership Groups
                    - Planned Giving
                    - Major Giving
                    - Gifts of Art 
                  -  Shop                      - Shop
                    - Books
                    - Jewelry
                    - Apparel & Accessories
                    - Kids
                    - NGA Custom Prints 
                  -  Play Artle

Home>National Gallery of Art Communications Office>Exhibition Announcements, Releases, and Press Material>Exhibition Press Release 2023>Artistic Influence of Dante’s "The Divine Comedy" Explored in Exhibition at National Gallery of Art

March 22, 2023

# Artistic Influence of Dante’s "The Divine Comedy" Explored in Exhibition at National Gallery of Art

Florentine 16th Century*Allegorical Portrait of Dante*, late 16th centuryoil on paneloverall: 126.9 x 120 cm (49 15/16 x 47 1/4 in.)framed: 165.7 x 158.8 x 8.3 cm (65 1/4 x 62 1/2 x 3 1/4 in.)National Gallery of Art, WashingtonSamuel H. Kress Collection

**Exhibition Press Release**

Exhibition Checklist (PDF 320 KB)

Exhibition Wall Text (1.5 MB PDF)

Exhibition Floor Plan (5.5 MB PDF)

Curator:Gretchen Hirschauer Curator of Italian and Spanish Paintings National Gallery of Art

**Exhibition Page: *Going through Hell: The Divine Dante*

**Press Contact**Laurie Tylecphone: (202) 842-6355e-mail: [email protected]

Washington, DC—Since its completion, Dante Alighieri’s (1265–1321) *The Divine Comedy* has been translated into more than 50 languages. The enduring themes of love, faith, justice, and redemption have contributed to the work’s profound impact and continued relevance. ***Going through Hell: The Divine Dante*** explores the cultural influence of this pivotal 700-year-old epic in some 20 works of art, all from the National Gallery’s collection. Beginning with the 16th-century *Allegorical Portrait of Dante*, these include rare early printed editions of *The Divine Comedy*, sculptures Auguste Rodin conceived for his monumental project *The Gates of Hell*, and works on paper from the 15th to 20th century by artists such as William Blake and Robert Rauschenberg. The exhibition is on view from April 9 through July 16, 2023, in the West Building of the National Gallery.“More than 700 years after its creation, Dante Alighieri’s *Divine Comedy* remains widely read and relevant to modern society,” said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art. “Highlighting works from the National Gallery’s collection, this exhibition explores the enduring popularity and influence Dante’s poem as a touchstone for artists across different eras and cultures.”

**Exhibition Tour**

National Gallery of Art, Washington, April 9–July 16, 2023

**About the Exhibition**

An epic narrative poem, *The Divine Comedy* (*La Divina Commedia* or, simply, *Commedia* in Italian) describes one man’s harrowing and transformational journey through three realms of the afterlife: Hell (*Inferno*), Purgatory (*Purgatorio*), and Paradise (*Paradiso*). *Commedia*, or comedy, is a term that once described something that begins in sadness but ends well. Told in 100 sections (or *cantos*), the narrator Dante is first guided through Hell and Purgatory by the ancient Roman poet Virgil; later, his beloved Beatrice ushers him from Purgatory to Paradise. Dante travels though domains of the dead where he witnesses sin and punishment, atonement and redemption, and finally union with God. In a radical move, Dante wrote *The Divine Comedy* in the vernacular, everyday Florentine language of 14th-century Tuscany. Rather than the Latin typically chosen for literary works, Dante’s use of the common language resulted in the poem attracting readers from diverse backgrounds.Among the highlights featured in this exhibition is a 16th-century Florentine allegorical portrait of Dante that depicts the poet sitting on a rocky outcrop and holding a large manuscript copy of *The Divine Comedy*. It is open to canto XXV of *Paradiso*, where he writes of his unfulfilled desire to return to the Florence of his birth after a long exile. Bartolomeo Pinelli’s (1781–1835) drawing *Dante Flees the Wild Beasts and Meets Virgil* (1824) depicts an episode early in *The Divine Comedy* where the narrator meets the ancient Roman poet Virgil, his guide through Hell and Purgatory.*The Divine Comedy*—and especially its first part, *Inferno*—has for centuries inspired artists to explore questions of morality and spirituality, create metaphors for social and political issues, and reflect the human condition. Joseph Anton Koch’s (1768–1839) drawing *Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon* (c. 1821) depicts an episode from the *Inferno* where Dante and his guide Virgil descend to the Eighth Circle of Hell, known as Malebolge, a place with “new torments” and “horned demons.” They are carried by the monster Geryon, an imaginary creature with the face of a man and the body of a beast. Rico Lebrun’s (1900–1964) *Figure and Serpent* is part of Lebrun’s series *Drawings for Dante’s “Inferno”* (1963), which depict grisly subjects: beheadings, immolation, cannibalism. Created to mark Dante’s 700th birthday, Robert Rauschenberg’s (1925–2008) *Drawings for Dante's 700 Birthday* (1965) uses the ideas found in the *Inferno* as a powerful allegory for the tumultuous social and political climate of the 1960s.One of the most iconic sculptures in European art, Auguste Rodin’s (1840–1917) *The Thinker* (model 1880, cast 1901) was one of the first figures Rodin envisioned for his monumental *The Gates of Hell*, two bronze doors inspired by Dante’s *Inferno*. Originally intended for a museum in Paris, the doors were never installed during the sculptor’s lifetime. Rodin’s *The Kiss* (model 1880–1887, cast c. 1898/1902) and William Blake’s (1757–1827) *The Circle of the Lustful: Paolo and Francesca* (1827) both depict the characters Paolo and Francesca, an adulterous couple whose story appears in canto V of *Inferno*. Blake’s engraving shows the couple swept away by an apparent whirlwind of irresistible desire, whereas Rodin’s sculpture depicts the lovers locked in an eternal embrace.

**Exhibition Organization**

The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

**Exhibition Curator**

The exhibition is curated by Gretchen Hirschauer, curator of Italian and Spanish paintings, National Gallery of Art.

# Contact Information

**General Information**For additional press information please call or send inquiries to:Department of CommunicationsNational Gallery of Art2000 South Club DriveLandover, MD 20785phone: (202) 842-6353e-mail: [email protected]

**Chief of Communications**Anabeth Guthriephone: (202) 842-6804e-mail: [email protected]

**Newsletters**The National Gallery also offers a broad range of newsletters for various interests. Follow this link to view the complete list.

# Related Resources

Exhibitions

Press Releases

Newsletters

RSS News Feed

### Stay connected

Learn more about our exhibitions, news, programs, and special offers.

About
          - About the National Gallery
          - Stories
          - Press
          - FAQs
          - Contact Us

Plan a Visit
          - Getting Here
          - Accessibility
          - Today's Tours
          - Food & Drink
          - Calendar
          - Downloadable Map

Get Involved
          - Donate
          - Membership
          - Volunteer
          - Opportunities
          - Shop Online

Resources
          - Search the Collection
          - Conservation
          - Library
          - Archives
          - The Center
          - Film Programs
          - Music Programs
          - Audio/Video
          - Open Access Images

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

**West Building**6th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter or exit from Constitution Avenue, 4th Street, or 7th Street. The Madison Drive entrance is currently closed.*

**East Building**4th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 4th Street.*

**Sculpture Garden**7th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 7th Street, Constitution Avenue, or Madison Drive.*

We are closed on December 25 and January 1.

*The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity.*

          -  Twitter 
          -  Facebook 
          -  Instagram 
          -  Pinterest 
          -  YouTube 

© 2024 National Gallery of Art   Notices   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy