The artwork titled “Schismatics–Mahomet,” created by the artist Gustave Doré, is an illustration belonging to the Romanticism art movement. This piece is part of the series “The Divine Comedy.” In this depiction, Doré interprets a scene from Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy,” showcasing his remarkable skill in illustration and his ability to vividly portray complex and dramatic scenes.
The artwork features a grim and tumultuous scene situated among jagged, rocky cliffs. Various figures, appearing tormented and anguished, occupy the foreground. One prominent figure is in the act of exposing a grievous wound on his chest. Other figures around him exhibit different states of suffering and distress, emphasizing the somber and dark nature of this part of Dante’s narrative. Two characters, likely representing Dante and his guide Virgil, observe the chaos from a vantage point on the rocky heights. The scene powerfully encapsulates the strife and torment found in Dante’s representation of Hell, beautifully illustrated through Doré’s meticulous and expressive line work.
