“The Blasphemers–Capaneus” by Gustave Doré is a Romanticism-style illustration belonging to the artwork series “The Divine Comedy”. The artwork vividly depicts a moment from Dante Alighieri’s epic poem.
In the artwork, a desolate scene unfolds under a dark, tumultuous sky. Lightning bolts streak across the sky, aiming downward towards a group of anguished figures sprawled across the barren ground. These figures, depicted in various poses of torment and despair, appear to writhe under the relentless storm. On the right side of the artwork, two robed figures stand observing the suffering masses. The intricate detailing and dramatic contrasts in light and shadow are characteristic of Doré’s masterful engraving techniques, enhancing the overall intensity and depth of the scene.
