"Les Usuriers" Inferno Canto 17 Woodcut from the French Edition of the Divine Comedy Series by Salvador Dali

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"Les Usuriers" unframed woodcut from the Divine Comedy series by Salvador Dali. Image Size: 9-3/4" x 7", Paper Size: 13" … Read more "Les Usuriers" unframed woodcut from the Divine Comedy series by Salvador Dali. Image Size: 9-3/4" x 7", Paper Size: 13" x 10-1/4". (Illustration only. Book photo is for reference and is NOT included). Condition : Excellent. Retail value is $1,500.00. Certificate of Authenticity & replacement value appraisal is included. Make an offer!


This Illustration by Dali can be found in "Dante's Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri

One of Italy's Greatest writers, Illustrated by one of Spain's greatest painters.

DANTE Alighieri was born in 1265, and died in 1321

Salvador DALI was born in 1904, and died in 1989

Despite the fact that he was born almost 600 years after DANTE'S death, the work of the great surrealist painter fits so well with the great writer's work that one might almost believe them to be contemporaries. DALI seems to have painted his representation of each canto as DANTE was writing, as if he was looking over his shoulder.

The DIVINE COMEDY is the major work of Italian literature. It was written by DANTE Alighieri between 1307 and 1321.

The work is divided into three parts (Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven), and comprises 100 CANTOS.

DANTE, lost in the dark forest of sin, explores hell, purgatory and heaven in his attempt to find GOD. VIRGIL, the great Latin poet, guides him through hell and purgatory. Finally, the sweet and virtuous BEATRICE welcomes him to heaven, where SAINT BERNARD leads him to GOD.

During his voyage, DANTE meets mythological characters, each of whom personifies a sin or a virtue, and describes their punishments and rewards.

HISTORY OF THE WORK

In 1957, DALI was approached by the Italian government to illustrate the DIVINE COMEDY. A contract was signed, and DALI set to work. The entire work rrequired more than 3,500 carved wood blocks.

In 1958, a new government was elected in Italy, which objected to the idea of entrusting the illustration of the DIVINE COMEDY to a foreign artist. As a result, DALI contacted two Parisian publishers, Joseph FORET and Jean ESTRADE, and jumped on an aeroplane. A new contract was signed, ensuring that one of the most beautiful works illustrated by DALI would in fact be French! See less