The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other. Inferno, canto XXII.

"The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other. Inferno, canto XXII." is a powerful late work by William Blake English, 1757-1827, created in 1827. This dramatic illustration depicts a chaotic scene from Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, focusing on the Eighth Circle, Malebolge, where corrupt officials (barrators) are eternally punished by grotesque devils known as the Malebranche. Blake captures the moment of intense, savage struggle hinted at in Canto XXII, where the infernal guardians turn on one another in a moment of fury.

As one of Blake’s renowned final illustrations for Dante, this piece is a highly skilled hand-colored engraving. The complex technique involves printing on fine India paper, which is then carefully laid down onto wove paper, a sophisticated print process known as chine collé. This meticulous method allowed Blake to achieve richer, distinct tonal variations and textural depth critical to the demonic subject matter.

This scene, full of violent action and demonic energy, exemplifies Blake’s unique Romantic vision, which powerfully merged poetic narrative with visionary visual symbolism. The work represents the culmination of the artist's career, illustrating a canonical text that defined Western literary culture. The significance of these unique prints, created in England, ensures their continuous study and appreciation. This highly sought-after print, The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other. Inferno, canto XXII., is permanently housed in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. While reproductions of Blake's influential art often enter the public domain, the rarity and quality of the original hand-colored prints remain invaluable.