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Scene from the Inferno (canto IX)

William Etty

1818

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Scene from the Inferno (canto IX) is a 1818 ink by William Etty, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: William Etty
When & what style?: 1818 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting depicts a dramatic scene with multiple figures in motion. In the foreground, a woman in a long robe stands to the right, looking towards the left. On the left side, a winged figure with a beard and long hair is shown in mid-air, while another figure with wings and a beard is seen in the background. The scene is set against a backdrop of a crowd of people, with some lying on the ground. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of turmoil and chaos. If you're interested in exploring more art from this period, you might want to look into the Romanticism movement.

The story of this work

Overview

This drawing, created by William Etty in 1818, visually interprets a scene from Canto IX of Dante's Inferno using pen, black ink, and gray wash. The composition captures a dynamic, multi-figure scene set amidst a turbulent crowd.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a woman in a long robe gazing left, a bearded, winged figure in mid-air to her left, and another similar figure in the background. These elements convey the chaotic and tumultuous nature of the Inferno's narrative.

Technique & Style

Etty employed pen and black ink for outlines and details, complemented by gray wash to achieve depth and shading. The style reflects the expressive and emotive qualities characteristic of Romantic-era illustrations of literary works.

History & Provenance

Created in 1818, specific details about the drawing's ownership history and exhibitions are not provided in the available information.

Context

This work is contextualized within the broader artistic movement of Romanticism, which often emphasized dramatic, emotional, and literary themes—aligning with the intense, chaotic depiction of Dante's Inferno.

Legacy

The drawing's impact or influence on subsequent artistic interpretations of the Inferno, or its significance within Etty's oeuvre, is not detailed in the provided information.

Read the full account in the museum source.