The artwork entitled “Arachne,” created by the artist Gustave Doré, belongs to the Romanticism art movement. It is a part of the illustration genre and specifically pertains to the renowned series “The Divine Comedy.”
In the illustration, Doré meticulously depicts the transformation of Arachne, a figure from classical mythology, who is presented with the body of a spider and the upper half of a woman, as she endures her punishment. The scene is rendered with remarkable detail, showcasing a blend of intricate linework and shading that creates a hauntingly atmospheric composition. In the background, other figures are observed in various states of torment and repose, under a web-like canopy that reinforces the themes of entanglement and consequence. The dramatic use of light and shadow, typical of Romanticism, heightens the emotional intensity of the moment, encapsulating the tragic essence of Arachne’s fate within the broader narrative of Dante’s “The Divine Comedy.”
