2-709-323 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'From the profound abyss, behind the lid of a great monument we stood retired', c1890. Dante and the Roman poet Virgil shelter in craggy rocks and try to avoid 'the horrible excess of fetid exhalation'. Illustration from "The Vision of Hell" (Inferno), the first part of "The Divine Comedy" (La divina commedia) by Dante Alighieri. This long, narrative poem, written in Italian c1308-1321, tracing Dante's imaginary journey from Hell, through Purgatory and finally to Heaven and a beatific vision of God, has been published numerous times. This edition, published late 19th century, is illustrated by Gustave Dore. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, c1890]