The Circle of the Traitors; Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate by William Blake is a powerful example of the artist's intense late engagement with monumental literary themes. Executed in 1827, this original engraved copper plate is classified as Technical Material, representing the physical matrix used to produce prints for Blake's renowned, though unfinished, series of illustrations for Dante’s Divine Comedy. This demanding etching medium required exceptional precision, allowing Blake to translate the terrifying psychological landscapes of the Inferno into detailed visual form. Produced during the period spanning 1826 to 1850, the piece reflects the profound, spiritualized Romanticism that defined much of late British art.
Blake’s interpretation captures the dramatic moment within the lowest circle of Hell, Cocytus, where the poet Dante, traversing the frozen lake, inadvertently strikes the head of Bocca degli Abati, a figure condemned for treachery against his homeland. The resulting visual composition shows the agony of the damned intertwined with Dante’s harrowing journey of moral realization. Blake, known for his distinctive visionary style, often blended classical literary themes with his own deeply personal iconography, a hallmark of the Romantic movement flourishing in British artistic circles during this time.
Although this copper plate itself is a unique historical object, it served as the source for the influential prints that circulated after Blake’s death, further solidifying his legacy as one of the most important figures in the history of British art. This work is an essential piece in the narrative of Blake’s final years, demonstrating his continued technical mastery. Today, this significant original material is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Due to the enduring popularity and cultural significance of Blake's illustrations, high-quality digital prints derived from the original engravings are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing scholars and enthusiasts wider access to this powerful scene.
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