1948 Dore Wood Engraved Print - Dante's Divine Comedy
Inferno, Canto 31: The Giant Antaeus lowering Dante and Virgil
Retribution is not the main concern of this canto, as it has been in previous cantos, though it is easy to see how at least two of these Giants come to be the guardians of the final circle. Nimrod, the legendary king of Babylon, constructed the Tower of Babel to reach heaven, but he was prevented from doing so by a confusion of tongues. This Giant is damned to spend eternity babbling, without any comprehension of himself or others. The second Giant, Ephialtes, son of Neptune, warred against the gods, and so has his arms bound so that he can do no more harm. The third Giant, Antaeus, is there for the many murders he committed; he should be in another circle, but suffers with the other Giants merely because of his nature as a Giant. Antaeus is the son of Neptune (the sea) and Tellus (the Earth) and was invincible, as long as he touched the Earth, his mother. Hercules killed him by holding him over his head and strangling him in mid-air. He is unchained because he did not join the other Giants against the gods. Here, again, the sinner with the worse sin is punished more harshly.
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Creator: Doré, Gustave
Inferno is the work of Dante Alighieri and was illustrated by Gustave Doré.
The first of three canticas comprising Dante Alighieri's Commedia (later referred to
as Commedia Divina - the Divine Comedy in English), the other canticas being
Purgatorio and Paradiso. It is considered the central epic poem of Italian literature
and was composed by Dante sometime between 1308 and 1321.
Full Print Size: Approximately 8" X 11.5"
Blank on Reverse
Condition: Excellent - Very Good - Good - Fair - Poor (but of historical interest)
Some typical age (especially edge toning) and handling wear
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This is an Original Print- Not a Reproduction
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Item #0715-029DDC |