William Blake. Dante's 'Divine Comedy'. The Complete Drawings

The Divine Comedy, written by Dante Alighieri in 1321, is widely considered the greatest work ever composed in the Italian language. William Blake produced 102 illustrations for the poem, ranging from scenes of infernal suffering to celestial light. This TASCHEN edition brings together Blakes illustrations and key excerpts from Dantes masterpiece, with two introductory essays considering Dante and Blake and other major artists inspired by the poem.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2020
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

The Divine Comedy, a literary masterpiece completed in 1321 by Dante Alighieri (1265–1321), is celebrated worldwide as a towering achievement in the Italian language. This epic poem takes readers on a profound journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, representing the spiritual path of the soul toward salvation. As Dante's masterpiece reached its final stages, the renowned Romantic poet and artist William Blake (1757–1827) embarked on a remarkable artistic endeavor. He produced 102 illustrations for The Divine Comedy, ranging from pencil sketches to exquisite watercolors. Blake's illustrations, like Dante's sweeping poem, capture a vast spectrum of emotions and themes. They depict scenes of infernal suffering, celestial light, horrifying human disfigurement, and the perfection of physical form. While staying true to the text, Blake infused his unique perspective into some of Dante's central ideas. Today, these illustrations, left in various stages of completion at the time of Blake's death, are dispersed among seven different institutions. This TASCHEN edition brings them together once again, accompanied by essential excerpts from Dante's masterpiece.

Two introductory essays in this edition delve into the lives and works of Dante and Blake, as well as other prominent artists who have been inspired by The Divine Comedy. These artists include Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo, Eugène Delacroix, Gustave Doré, and Auguste Rodin. By closely examining Blake's illustrations, accompanied by numerous close-ups that allow for intricate details to shine, readers are invited to embark on a breathtaking encounter with two of the greatest artistic talents in history. The Divine Comedy explores universal themes such as love, guilt, punishment, revenge, and redemption, and Blake's illustrations add a new layer of depth and meaning to this timeless masterpiece. This edition is a testament to the enduring power of literature and art, and it serves as a reminder of the profound impact that great works can have on our lives.

Weight: 1600g
Dimension: 187 x 247 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836568630