The Circle of the Lustful: Paolo and Francesca. Inferno, canto V

The print, The Circle of the Lustful: Paolo and Francesca. Inferno, canto V by William Blake English, 1757-1827, completed in 1827, illustrates one of the most famous and tragic episodes from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. This specific scene depicts the shades of the lovers Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, eternally swept up in the whirlwind of the second circle of Hell, reserved for those who succumbed to lust. This ambitious project, executed late in Blake’s life, demonstrates his lifelong preoccupation with visionary literature and monumental Biblical or classical narratives.

As a crucial example of Blake’s innovative printmaking, this work is a hand-colored engraving executed using the chine collé technique, where the delicate India paper bearing the image is carefully laid down onto a thicker wove paper support. This method allowed Blake to achieve fine detail combined with rich coloration. Unlike many of his earlier illuminated books, this series of illustrations focuses purely on external source material, though Blake interprets Dante through his own intensely personal and mystical lens. Blake presents the lovers in a swirling vortex of anguish and movement, capturing the eternal torment described in the Italian epic.

This masterwork of English Romanticism remains one of Blake's most recognized prints. Produced just before his death, the engraving reflects the high degree of technical skill achieved by the artist during his final years. The enduring popularity and cultural significance of such works from England ensure their eventual availability in the public domain for study and appreciation. This particular impression of The Circle of the Lustful is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.