An invitation to Join me on my journey into Hell:
When I created Divine Comedy, my sculpture inspired by Dante's Inferno, I wanted to craft something that truly immerses the viewer in Dante’s haunting vision of Hell. My goal was to reimagine his timeless narrative in a way that resonates with our modern sensibilities while retaining the vivid imagery and profound symbolism that make his work so enduring.
Every detail in this piece reflects the meticulous care I poured into bringing Dante’s infernal world to life. Using layered steel and oil painting, I sought to create not just depth but a palpable sense of foreboding. The textures evoke the grim landscapes and tormented souls described in the poem, each brushstroke and contour pulling viewers into a world that feels both alien and disturbingly familiar.
At the center of the sculpture stands the focal piece, a towering representation of Dante’s journey into the abyss. Around it, I’ve arranged seven smaller sculptures, each representing one of the circles of hell. Each piece captures a distinct layer of human suffering and moral decay, from the searing fires of lust to the icy stillness of treachery. Together, they trace the escalation of sin’s consequences, reflecting the weight of Dante’s vision in a tangible and visceral form.
As you move through the scenes I’ve created, you’re invited to confront the stark consequences of sin. The writhing figures, desolate landscapes, and suffocating atmosphere are all there to remind us of the eternal punishments that Dante envisioned for the damned. It’s a sobering meditation on our actions and the moral compass that guides—or fails to guide—us through life.
I didn’t want this piece to just retell Dante’s story. I wanted it to challenge viewers to reflect on their own lives. What do we hold onto that drags us down? What choices define us? Through the lens of Divine Comedy, I hope people will confront their own demons and grapple with questions of sin, redemption, and what it means to be human.
This sculpture is more than a tribute to Dante’s genius. It’s a mirror held up to our souls, asking us to seek understanding, not only of ourselves but of the world around us. Through art, I strive to open a door—one that invites you to step into the depths and emerge with something deeper, something profound.
The Divine Comedy's - Mount Delectable
In my rendition of Dante’s journey, I chose to begin with a striking portrayal of Mount Delectable, the starting point of his descent into the infernal depths. This moment, charged with tension and urgency, marks Dante’s confrontation with the primal forces that block his path: the Jaguar, the Lion, and the She-wolf.
These figures loom ominously in my sculpture, their forms embodying the powerful metaphors Dante wove into his epic poem. The Jaguar, sleek and predatory, represents lust and deceit, a shadowy temptation lurking in the soul. The Lion, proud and regal, stands for pride and ambition, its roaring arrogance threatening to consume Dante. The She-wolf, gaunt and ravenous, personifies greed and insatiability, forever hungry for more. Together, these beasts symbolise the primal instincts and inner demons that haunt every human being, impeding their journey toward enlightenment and salvation.
But against this ominous tableau, a figure emerges: Virgil, Dante’s guide. In the sculpture, Virgil is depicted as a steadfast and resolute presence, a beacon of hope amid the looming darkness. He embodies the wisdom and reason needed to navigate the treacherous terrain of Hell, a reminder that knowledge and understanding are the keys to confronting our most fearsome trials.
As you stand before this piece, you’re not merely an observer; you are invited to join Dante at the base of Mount Delectable. You confront the same beasts, the same primal fears, and feel the same desperate need for guidance. Through this first step in the journey, my sculpture sets the stage for a profound and immersive experience, encouraging you to grapple with the complexities of sin, redemption, and the fragile, transformative power of the human spirit.
This is more than a tribute to The Divine Comedy.
The Divine Comedy's Gates of Hell
In my depiction of Dante's journey, the scene brims with dramatic tension as Dante and Virgil traverse the perilous path leading to the ferryman, Charon, who awaits them on the shores of the river Styx. This moment, charged with chaos and despair, sets the tone for their descent into Hell's depths.
As they press forward, they are pursued by a desperate crowd, drawn toward an elusive banner floating in the sky. This banner, ever out of reach, symbolises the futile chase for worldly desires and false promises, a haunting reminder of humanity's ceaseless pursuit of illusions.
The air itself becomes a torment, thick with the incessant buzzing of hornets and flies. Their stings are a visceral embodiment of regret, a sharp and relentless reminder of the sins and follies that plague human existence. Amid this pandemonium, Dante and Virgil’s journey is overshadowed by the looming gates of Hell, bearing the chilling warning: "Abandon all hope ye who enter in."
At the river’s edge, Charon, the grim ferryman of the underworld, looms large. His baleful gaze and commanding presence exude menace, a reflection of the heavy task that binds him. In the sculpture, I portrayed Charon as both relentless and merciless, driving the souls before him with a fierce and unyielding hand, ensuring none escape their fateful crossing into the abyss.
When Dante and Virgil finally board Charon's vessel, the sense of foreboding intensifies. The Styx’s dark waters churn beneath them, a stark metaphor for the turbulent sins and unquiet souls they are about to confront. I captured this pivotal moment with intricate detail, using layered textures and shadowed forms to evoke the oppressive atmosphere that permeates Dante’s journey.
Through this piece, I sought to bring to life the profound existential themes of Dante’s Inferno. Each element—the elusive banner, the swarm of hornets, Charon’s unyielding presence—serves as a mirror, reflecting truths about human frailty, misguided desires, and the inevitable consequences of our actions.
Dante's Divine comedy and the first circle of Hell - Limbo
In my interpretation of Dante’s Inferno, the journey through the first circle of Hell, Limbo, is a poignant and sombre passage. I sought to capture the haunting stillness and quiet despair of this realm, where the damned souls stand in silent witness on the shores, a forest of figures embodying eternal longing and separation from the divine.
These souls, unbaptised and untouched by the torments of deeper Hell, bear a subtler but no less harrowing burden—the weight of unfulfilled destinies and unresolved fates. In this sculpture, I aimed to reflect their melancholic existence through delicate forms and muted tones, emphasising their tragic resignation to an eternity devoid of salvation.
The journey takes Dante and Virgil to a river, a symbolic boundary between Limbo and the infernal circles beyond. Here, they encounter the four noble poets—Homer, Horace, Ovid, and Lucan—standing as timeless sentinels. I depicted these figures with a quiet strength, their presence a bridge between the grandeur of antiquity and the desolation of the present. They guide Dante across the swirling currents, a moment of reprieve that hints at the power of intellect and art to illuminate even the darkest of paths.
Upon reaching the citadel encircled by seven walls, the narrative shifts, and my work reflects this transition. Inside, Dante is greeted by a multitude of scholars, philosophers, and poets—the great minds of history who reside here in eternal discourse. Their figures, etched with a sense of timeless wisdom, are designed to evoke a bittersweet solace. The echoes of their voices resonate through the halls, a testament to the enduring legacy of human thought even in the face of damnation.
Through all this, Dante’s guide Virgil remains steadfast, his presence a symbol of reason and guidance amidst uncertainty. Together, they press onward, their shared resolve a reflection of humanity’s capacity to endure and seek understanding, even in the face of insurmountable darkness.
In crafting this depiction of Limbo, I sought to highlight the layers of emotion and meaning within Dante’s vision—loss, longing, and the enduring quest for truth and connection. Each element, from the desolate shores to the glowing citadel, is a step deeper into the abyss and an invitation for viewers to reflect on the nature of existence, legacy, and what it means to seek purpose beyond the confines of our mortality.
Dante's Divine Comedy and the second circle of Hell- Minos
We move onto the next plinth - the second circle of Hell. The atmosphere crackles with frenetic energy as Dante and Virgil confront the torment of lust. Here, the damned souls are subjected to the relentless fury of opposing winds, their forms tossed and buffeted through the blackened air, unable to find respite from their ceaseless anguish.
At the heart of this infernal tempest stands Minos, the infernal judge, his form twisted and snarling as he passes judgement on the souls of the damned. With his tail coiled around his body, Minos pronounces a sentence upon each transgressor, consigning them to their appointed circle of Hell based on the severity of their sins.
As Dante and Virgil navigate the swirling chaos of the second circle, they bear witness to the agonised cries and lamentations of the souls trapped within its grasp. Each soul is consumed by their insatiable desires, condemned to an eternity of restless torment as punishment for their earthly indulgences.
With each step, Dante draws closer to the heart of Hell, his resolve tested by the horrors that surround him. Guided by Virgil's steady hand, he presses onward, determined to confront the depths of sin and suffering that lie ahead.
Dante's Divine comedy and the third circle of Hell - Cerberus
The third circle of Hell, Dante and Virgil are confronted by the fearsome guardian Cerberus, the three-headed hellhound who stands as a formidable barrier to the damned souls within. With each of his heads gnashing and snapping at the air, Cerberus embodies the relentless torment that awaits those who have succumbed to the sin of gluttony.
As Dante and Virgil navigate the treacherous terrain of the third circle, they are assaulted by the ceaseless onslaught of rain and hail, the relentless downpour adding to the cacophony of noise that fills the air. The earth itself groans under the weight of the eternal storm, a testament to the unending suffering that permeates this infernal realm.
Amidst the tumultuous landscape, the souls of the gluttonous writhe and wail in agony, their bodies twisted and contorted by the insatiable hunger that consumes them. Each soul is subjected to the cruel ministrations of Cerberus, whose ravenous appetite knows no bounds as he devours them with his voracious jaws.
With the sin of gluttony laid bare before them, Dante and Virgil steel themselves for the trials that lie ahead as they journey deeper into the darkened depths of Hell. As they press onward, they are haunted by the knowledge that each circle holds its own horrors, each more harrowing than the last.
Dante's Divine Comedy and the fourth circle of Hell - Pluto
The fourth circle of Dante's Inferno unfolds. The journey through this circle of Hell brings Dante and Virgil face to face with Pluto, the formidable ruler presiding over this realm of eternal torment. From his perch atop his chariot, Pluto utters his ominous command, "Pape Satan, Pape Satan, Aleppe!"—a chilling invocation that echoes through the air, sending shivers down the spines of all who hear it.
In this circle of Hell, the sin of greed reigns supreme, and the souls condemned to its depths are subjected to a relentless cycle of punishment. Forced to push enormous boulders around the circle for all eternity, they labor under the weight of their insatiable desire for wealth and power, their futile efforts a stark reminder of the consequences of their avarice.
Undeterred by the sight of suffering that surrounds them, Dante and Virgil press on, making their way across the circle to the other bank. There, they encounter a boiling fountain whose waters cascade endlessly over itself, flowing down into a chasm below. The sight of this tumultuous spectacle serves as a grim harbinger of the trials that lie ahead, a reminder of the unyielding nature of Hell and the eternal damnation that awaits those who have strayed from the path of righteousness.
As they continue their journey through the infernal depths, Dante and Virgil are faced with ever greater challenges, each circle presenting its own unique horrors and tribulations. Yet guided by Virgil's wisdom and Dante's unwavering resolve, they press onward, determined to navigate the treacherous labyrinth of Hell and emerge unscathed on the other side.
Dante's Divine Comedy and the fifth circle of Hell - Styx
In the fifth circle of Hell, known as the Styx, Dante and Virgil confront the sin of wrath in its most grotesque form. Here, the marshy landscape serves as a fitting backdrop for the ceaseless turmoil that unfolds within its murky depths. The souls condemned to this circle are consumed by their unbridled rage, tearing and biting at one another in a frenzy of violence and hatred.
As Dante and Virgil make their way across the marsh, they witness the anguished souls writhing beneath the surface, their agonised cries muffled by the murky waters that envelop them. Despite the overwhelming despair that permeates this desolate realm, the two travellers press onward, guided by their unwavering determination to confront the horrors of Hell head-on.
Their journey leads them to a great arc spanning the Styx, a precarious bridge that offers passage to the other bank. As they traverse this treacherous path, they are met by Phlegyas, the fiery boatman who serves as their guide through the infernal landscape. With Phlegyas at their side, they set their sights on the flames that flickered in the distance, beckoning them toward the sixth circle of Hell and the next stage of their harrowing odyssey.
With each step they take, Dante and Virgil draw closer to the heart of darkness, confronting the darkest recesses of the human soul and bearing witness to the unfathomable depths of sin and suffering that lie within. Yet even in the face of such overwhelming despair, they cling to the hope of redemption, determined to emerge from the crucible of Hell unscathed and find their way back to the light.
Dante's Divine Comedy and the sixth circle of Hell - City of Dis
As Dante and Virgil approach the City of Dis, they are met with a scene of utter desolation and torment. The distant sight of mosques engulfed in flames serves as a grim harbinger of the horrors that await them within. As they draw closer, they find themselves surrounded by raging waters, a foreboding barrier that seems to repel all who dare to approach.
Amidst this chaotic landscape, the monstrous figure of Medusa emerges, her snarling visage a grotesque embodiment of terror and despair. With a ferocious roar, she lashes out at them, her gaze turning all who meet them to stone. Yet despite her formidable presence, Dante and Virgil press onward, undeterred in their quest to confront the infernal forces that lie in wait.
Their path to the City of Dis is further obstructed by a legion of demons, who rain down upon them with relentless fury, their twisted forms casting ominous shadows over the gates that bar their way. For a moment, it seems as though all hope is lost, as the relentless onslaught threatens to overwhelm them.
But then, a miraculous intervention occurs, as an angel descends from the heavens to open the gates of the city, allowing Dante and Virgil to pass through unharmed. As they venture inside, they are greeted by a sight that chills them to the core: the burning pyres of the damned, where popes and clergy alike are consigned to the eternal flames for their heretical beliefs.
With a heavy heart, Dante follows Virgil away from this city of suffering, his resolve unshaken even in the face of such unspeakable horrors. For they know that their journey through the infernal depths is far from over, and that greater challenges still lie ahead in the seventh circle of Hell.
Dante's Divine Comedy and the seventh circle of Hell - Violence
As Dante and Virgil journey deeper into the seventh circle of Hell, they are confronted with the harrowing manifestations of violence in its various forms. The first inner circle, dedicated to violence against one's neighbour, presents a grim tableau of torment and suffering. Here, the souls of the damned are subjected to relentless punishment, their agonised cries echoing through the air as they endure the consequences of their sinful deeds.
Their path forward is obstructed by the fearsome figure of the Minotaur, a monstrous creature whose savage fury knows no bounds. With a bestial roar, the Minotaur lunges forward, threatening to devour all who dare to approach. Yet Dante and Virgil press onward, undeterred by the creature's menacing presence, as they continue their descent into the abyss.
As they traverse the river of blood that marks the boundary of this inner circle, they bear witness to the gruesome spectacle of souls being tormented by centaurs, who mercilessly rain down punishment upon them with their bows and arrows. The river runs crimson with the blood of the damned, a chilling reminder of the violence and bloodshed that has consumed their lives.
Moving deeper into the second circle, dedicated to violence against one-self, Dante and Virgil are confronted with a haunting landscape of desolation and despair. Here, the souls of suicide victims are condemned to eternal suffering, their bodies transformed into gnarled and twisted trees that bear witness to their tragic fate. Above them, the harpies circle, their shrill cries a haunting lament for the souls they torment.
As they approach the third and final inner circle, where violence against God is punished, Dante and Virgil are met with the relentless onslaught of the eternal rain of fire. Here, the very elements themselves seem to conspire against the souls of the damned, as they endure the searing heat of the flames that rain down upon them without end.
Undaunted by the horrors that surround them, Dante and Virgil press on, their resolve unshaken as they continue their journey through the infernal depths of Hell. For they know that only by confronting the darkest aspects of human nature can they hope to find redemption and salvation.
Dante's Divine Comdey and the eighth circle of Hell - The Ditches
In the eighth circle of Hell, Dante and Virgil are confronted with the chilling manifestations of fraud and deception, where the souls of the damned are condemned to eternal torment for their malicious deceit and betrayal. As they navigate their way through the dark and treacherous ditches of this infernal realm, Dante observes the distinctive pouches worn by the souls, each bearing a symbolic emblem that reflects their particular sins.
With morbid curiosity, Dante examines the pouches, noting the ominous colours and emblems that adorn them: yellow with a lion, red with a goose, and white with a pregnant sow. These symbols serve as grim reminders of the sins that have led these souls to their damnation, their identities forever marked by their crimes against truth and integrity.
As they press onward, Dante and Virgil encounter Geryon, a monstrous demon whose benign facade belies his true nature. With his hairy armpits, bearlike claws, and serpent tail, Geryon serves as a menacing guide, leading them deeper into the depths of Hell.
Descending into the ditches of the eighth circle, Dante and Virgil bear witness to the various categories of fraudsters and tricksters, each subjected to their own unique forms of punishment for their crimes against humanity. From the seducers and flatterers to the hypocrites and thieves, the denizens of this infernal realm endure unspeakable torments that reflect the depths of their depravity.
In the central piece of the copper structure that dominates this realm, Dante observes the interconnected web of paintings that depict the various sins of fraud and deception. Each painting serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of falsehood and deceit, their haunting imagery a testament to the twisted souls that inhabit this accursed realm.
As they descend further into the ninth circle with the aid of the giants, who represent the sin of pride, Dante and Virgil prepare to confront the ultimate depths of Hell, where the most grievous sins await their judgement and punishment. With each step they take, they draw closer to the heart of darkness, where the true nature of sin is laid bare for all eternity.
Dante's Divine Comedy and the Ninth circle of Hell - Treachery
In the ninth circle of Hell, Dante and Virgil traverse the frozen expanse of Cocytus, a vast and desolate plain where the souls of the damned are encased in ice, trapped in various degrees of torment and suffering. As they make their way across this icy wasteland, Dante witnesses the chilling spectacle of souls submerged up to their necks in the frozen waters, their bodies immobilised by the unrelenting cold.
Each section of Cocytus is reserved for souls guilty of different forms of treachery and betrayal, and Dante observes the grisly punishments meted out to these damned souls as they endure the icy embrace of their eternal prison. From traitors to family members and political adversaries to their homeland, the souls of Cocytus are condemned to suffer for their crimes against loyalty and trust.
As Dante and Virgil navigate the frozen terrain, they encounter the infamous betrayers of history, each trapped in their icy tomb, their faces twisted in agony and despair. From Cain, the biblical figure who betrayed his own brother, to Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ, the souls of Cocytus bear witness to the depths of human depravity and the consequences of treachery and deceit.
With each step they take across the icy plains of Cocytus, Dante and Virgil draw closer to the heart of darkness, where the ultimate betrayer awaits his judgement and punishment. Amidst the frigid winds and icy waters of Hell's ninth circle, they confront the chilling reality of treachery and betrayal, a stark reminder of the consequences of betraying trust and loyalty.
Standing before Lucifer, Dante and Virgil confront the embodiment of ultimate evil and betrayal. Lucifer, a monstrous figure with three grotesque heads, each gnashing its teeth and exuding an aura of malevolence, presides over the frozen realm of Cocytus. His massive form looms ominously, his six bat-like wings casting a shadow over the desolate landscape as he churns the icy winds with his mighty movements.
As the fallen angel who rebelled against God and was cast into the depths of Hell, Lucifer embodies the epitome of treachery and defiance. His three heads represent the Trinity perverted—a blasphemous mockery of divine authority and sacred order. With his boundless appetite for sin and suffering, Lucifer devours the souls of treacherous betrayers and murderers, perpetuating their torment for eternity in his icy domain.
Dante and Virgil stand in awe and dread before this infernal behemoth, bearing witness to the unfathomable power and malevolence of Hell's ruler. Yet even in the presence of such darkness and despair, they remain resolute in their quest for redemption and salvation, guided by the flickering light of hope amidst the shadows of damnation.
As they gaze upon Lucifer, the embodiment of all that is vile and corrupt, Dante and Virgil steel themselves for the final leg of their harrowing journey through the depths of Hell. With courage and determination, they press forward, facing the ultimate test of their faith and resolve as they seek to emerge from the abyss and ascend to the realm of light and redemption beyond.
I will endeavour to put up a completed photo of the whole sculpture soon. I hope you have enjoyed your journey into hell.
Brilliant Julia, scared me half to death! Loved it