The artwork, “Antaeus setting down Dante and Virgil in the last circle of hell,” was created by William Blake between 1824 and 1827. Executed using pen, watercolor, and paper, this piece belongs to the Symbolism art movement and is an illustration genre artwork with dimensions of 37.4 x 52.6 cm. It is part of the series “Illustrations to Dante – The Divine Comedy” and is housed in the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, Australia.
This evocative artwork depicts a vivid scene from Dante’s “The Divine Comedy,” where Antaeus, a giant, is lowering Dante and Virgil into the last circle of hell. The powerful and muscular figure of Antaeus dominates the composition, his form rendered with intricate detail and dynamic posture. The use of watercolor provides a dramatic contrast between the robust figure of the giant and the more delicate representations of Dante and Virgil. The ethereal atmospheric elements, particularly the swirling clouds and dark background, accentuate the otherworldly and perilous nature of their descent into hell. The strong use of blue and earthy tones juxtaposed with the more subdued hues of the characters creates a striking and symbolic contrast, enhancing the narrative’s emotional intensity.
