Gustave Dore’s Artistic Vision of Dante

19th Century French illustrator Gustave Dore is responsible for the best known artistic interpretations of Dante’s Divine Comedy.  His designs are a result of woodblock engraving and printing, often at amazingly quick speed.  His work is prolific and gorgeous, encompassing all three worlds of Dante’s afterlife.  His distinctive style can also be seen in Paradise Lost by Milton, and Don Quixote by Cervantes.  Here is a small sample of his work.

dante-dark wood

IN A DARK WOOD

 

deborn

CARNAGE IN HELL

 

Dante chats with a pope in Hell

A CHAT WITH A POPE

 

geryon

THE MONEYLENDERS

 

cato

The Shores of Purgatory

 

angel3

Angels ferrying saved souls

 

rosehi

In the Presence of God

 

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