2-709-552 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"O senseless spirit! let thy horn for thee interpret: therewith vent thy rage, if rage or other passion wring thee"', c1890. The Old Testament figure of Nimrod, who tried to build the Tower of Babel, is portrayed as a giant whose speech is unintelligible - punishment for his confusion of languages. 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]