The artwork titled “Inferno, Canto XVIII” was expertly crafted by Sandro Botticelli in the year 1480. This piece is executed with colored pencils on parchment, and it reflects the Early Renaissance movement. Measuring 32 by 47 centimeters, it belongs to the illustration genre and is part of Botticelli’s “Illustrations to the Divine Comedy” series, produced between the 1480s and 1490s.
The artwork vividly portrays a scene from Dante Alighieri’s “Inferno,” specifically from Canto XVIII. The composition is intricately detailed, showcasing a multitude of human figures amidst a chaotic and tumultuous environment, suggesting the torment and suffering of souls in Hell. The figures are meticulously drawn, with some engaged in tormenting others, emphasizing the agony of their existence. Dominating the upper portion, several robed figures, likely representing Dante and his guide Virgil, oversee the infernal landscape. The use of colored pencils on parchment lends a fine texture and depth to the vibrant and intense depiction of this otherworldly and harrowing scene.
