2-709-348 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Now mark how I do rip me! lo! How is Mahomet mangled!"', c1890. Dante and the Roman poet Virgil witness the suffering of the prophet Mohammed, who is repeatedly ripped open. He is allowed to heal each time, only to be split apart again. 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]