Who painted Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon?

Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon was painted by Joseph Anton Koch in 1821.

Where can I see Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon?

Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon?

Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon

Joseph Anton Koch , 1821

Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Joseph Anton Koch. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

This painting is called Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon.
It was made by Joseph Anton Koch around 1821.
The artist used pen and black ink over graphite on laid paper to create it.
The painting is part of the Romanticism movement, which emphasized strong emotions and imagination.
To learn more about this style, look into the movement: Romanticism.

Overview

Dante and Virgil Riding on the Back of Geryon is a drawing by Joseph Anton Koch, created circa 1821 on laid paper using pen, black ink, and graphite. The work captures a pivotal moment from Dante's Inferno.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts Dante and Virgil's descent into Hell's eighth circle, mounted on the monstrous Geryon, illustrating a dramatic episode from Dante's epic poem.

Technique & Style

Koch employed precise linework and expressive details, characteristic of his transition from Neoclassicism to the expressive qualities of the German Romantic movement.

History & Provenance

Created around 1821, the drawing reflects Koch's recognized expertise in neoclassical landscape painting, with an evolving style towards Romanticism.

Context

Part of the broader Romanticism movement, the work emphasizes strong emotions and vivid imagination, typical of the era's artistic themes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Joseph Anton Koch

Joseph Anton Koch (27 July 1768 – 12 January 1839) was an Austrian painter of Neoclassicism and later the German Romantic movement; he is perhaps the most significant neoclassical landscape painter.