“The Styx–Phlegyas” is an illustration created by the artist Gustave Doré, belonging to the Romanticism art movement. This artwork is a part of Doré’s renowned series of illustrations for “The Divine Comedy”.
The artwork depicts a tumultuous scene on the river Styx, capturing the essence of Dante’s journey through hell. Central to the image is a small boat, steered vigorously by Phlegyas. The boat is crowded with figures, possibly including Virgil and Dante. Surrounding the boat are numerous souls submerged in the river’s turbulent waters, their bodies twisted and flailing in torment. The background features rugged, imposing cliffs and a shadowy, foreboding landscape, adding to the scene’s dramatic intensity and sense of despair. The meticulous detail and stark contrasts in the artwork evoke the peril and hopelessness of the infernal domain described in “The Divine Comedy.”
