The artwork titled “Devils and Virgil,” created by the artist Gustave Doré, is an illustration belonging to the Romanticism art movement. This specific piece is part of the series “The Divine Comedy.”
In “Devils and Virgil,” Gustave Doré presents a dramatic scene illustrating characters from Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, “The Divine Comedy.” The artwork features Virgil, acting as Dante’s guide, depicted alongside several malevolent devils with bat-like wings and contorted poses, reinforcing the sense of turmoil and chaos. The figures are anatomically detailed, bathed in stark contrasts of light and shadow, typical of Romanticism’s emphasis on emotion and dramatic intensity. The backdrop is minimalistic, focusing the viewer’s attention on the dynamic interaction between the characters and capturing the essence of Dante’s journey through the infernal realms.
