Artwork
Scene from the Inferno (canto IX)

Scene from the Inferno (canto IX) is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist William Etty. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in black ink: Inferno Canto IX; lower center in graphite: "Tres furie infernal di sangue tinte / che membra femmine aveano ed atto,"; upper left verso: Ref: (10); uRv//in graphite: 44 / W / L
About this work
Overview
This drawing, created by William Etty in 1818, visually interprets a scene from Canto IX of Dante's Inferno using pen, black ink, and gray wash. The composition captures a dynamic, multi-figure scene set amidst a turbulent crowd.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman in a long robe gazing left, a bearded, winged figure in mid-air to her left, and another similar figure in the background. These elements convey the chaotic and tumultuous nature of the Inferno's narrative.
Technique & Style
Etty employed pen and black ink for outlines and details, complemented by gray wash to achieve depth and shading. The style reflects the expressive and emotive qualities characteristic of Romantic-era illustrations of literary works.
History & Provenance
Created in 1818, specific details about the drawing's ownership history and exhibitions are not provided in the available information.
Context
This work is contextualized within the broader artistic movement of Romanticism, which often emphasized dramatic, emotional, and literary themes, aligning with the intense, chaotic depiction of Dante's Inferno.
Legacy
The drawing's impact or influence on subsequent artistic interpretations of the Inferno, or its significance within Etty's oeuvre, is not detailed in the provided information.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
William Etty (10 March 1787 – 13 November 1849) was an English artist best known for his historical paintings containing nude figures.


















