The Barque of Dante
1822 Louvre Museum
About this artwork
This is Eugène Delacroix's first major painting, exhibited at the Salon of 1822. It depicts a dramatic scene from Dante Alighieri's *Inferno*, specifically Canto VIII, where Dante and Virgil cross the River Styx.
Did you know?
This painting marked Delacroix's dramatic debut at the Paris Salon, establishing him as a leader of the Romantic movement. It depicts Dante and Virgil, guided by Phlegyas, traversing the infernal River Styx, where the wrathful dead continuously fight. The work's intense emotion and vibrant color palette shocked contemporary critics, yet it ultimately captivated audiences and cemented Delacroix's reputation.
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The Barque of Dante
Eugène Delacroix, 1822
