Dante and Virgil in hell. William Bouguereau.(1850)

This large painting by William Bouguereau depicts a scene from Dantes inferno.

It is set on the banks of the river Styx which formed the boundary between earth and the under world. Dante is with Virgil who is his guide through the nine circles of Hell. The circles are concentric, representing a gradual increase in wickedness, and culminating at the centre of the earth, where the devil himself is held in bondage.

This painting depicts Dante in the fifth circle. He is standing on the left of the painting with the ghost of Virgil at his side. They are looking upon the sins of wrath and sullenness. The two men being wrathful are ruthlessly attacking each other while the sullen lie gurgling and stewing in the muddy swamp. Behind them in the background a winged demon patiently watches on.

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Background detail.

         Winged demon patiently watches on.

           Looking upon the sins of wrath and sullenness.