The Circle of the Falsifiers: Dante and Virgil Covering their Noses because of the st

The engraving, The Circle of the Falsifiers: Dante and Virgil Covering their Noses because of the st by William Blake, created in 1827, exemplifies the artist's profound engagement with monumental literary illustration during his final years. This powerful print is part of a celebrated, though ultimately unfinished, series illustrating Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, a defining project for the British visionary. Executed late in Blake’s career, the work dates firmly within the 1826 to 1850 period, showcasing the distinctive, highly personalized linear style and spiritual intensity that characterized his interpretive illustrations.

The specific scene depicts the poets Dante and Virgil traversing the Malebolge, where the Falsifiers are punished for their sins of deceit and corruption. The visual narrative emphasizes the sheer sensory disgust experienced by the travelers, who are shown shielding their noses to avoid the intolerable stench emanating from the tormented souls and the putrid landscape of the Eighth Circle. Blake's interpretation heightens the psychological drama inherent in the source text, translating Dante’s visceral descriptions into tangible, contorted forms.

Blake’s mastery of the engraving medium is evident in the dynamic and precise lines used to delineate both the human figures and the desolate environment. The technical choice of engraving allows for deep contrasts between shadow and illumination, enhancing the spiritual terror of the setting. The finished work stands as one of the last great artistic statements by the artist.

This significant example of Blake’s interpretive work is held in the renowned collection of the National Gallery of Art. As the original illustration dates from the public domain era, high-quality prints derived from the original plate are frequently accessible for study and appreciation, preserving this iconic vision for future generations of scholars and admirers.