The Circle of the Falsifiers: Dante and Virgil Covering their Noses Because of the Stench. Inferno, canto XXIX

The Circle of the Falsifiers: Dante and Virgil Covering their Noses Because of the Stench. Inferno, canto XXIX, created by William Blake English, 1757-1827, is a profound late work illustrating Dante Alighieri’s Inferno. This print showcases Blake’s mastery of combining intaglio and color, executed as a hand-colored engraving on India paper, which was then laid down on wove paper, a sophisticated technique known as chine collé.

Dating to 1827, the final year of Blake’s life, the image captures a chilling moment from Canto XXIX, where the travelers descend into the tenth ditch of the eighth circle, Malebolge, and encounter the powerful stench arising from the punishment of the Falsifiers. Blake powerfully renders the figures of Dante and Virgil shielding their faces from the foul air, emphasizing the visceral, sensory horror of the hellscape. The composition, characterized by dense, visionary line work and evocative coloring, is recognized as one of the definitive interpretations of Dante’s vision.

This work belongs to a series of more than 100 illustrations commissioned late in the artist’s career by patron John Linnell, demonstrating the enduring influence of Italian epic poetry within Romantic England. As a significant example of English prints from the early 19th century, this piece demonstrates Blake’s unique and spiritual interpretation of classical literature. This remarkable print is currently held in the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to its historical importance and age, high-quality images of this Blake illustration are frequently available through museum archives and the public domain for study and appreciation.