WILLIAM BLAKE - Circle of the Lustful: Paolo & Francesca

THE ARTWORK

"The Circle of the Lustful: Paolo & Francesca" is an engraving by William Blake, a British poet, painter, and printmaker of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is one of his illustrations for Dante Alighieri’s "The Divine Comedy", which were commissioned in 1824 by his friend John Linnell. The illustrations are known for their dark and nightmarish imagery, which reflects the bleakness of Hell.

This illustration is for Canto V of "Inferno", the first book of "The Divine Comedy". It depicts a whirlwind eternally buffeting the figures of Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, two lovers who were condemned to Hell for adultery.

THE ARTIST

William Blake (1757–1827) was a visionary English poet, painter, and printmaker, known for his mystical and symbolic works that transcended conventional boundaries of art and literature. Blake's poetry, infused with spirituality and imagination, explored themes of innocence, experience, and the divine.

He was also a skilled artist, producing illuminated books where his poetry intertwined with intricate illustrations, such as "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" and "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell." Blake's art often featured fantastical beings and mystical landscapes, reflecting his belief in the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms.

Despite facing obscurity during his lifetime, Blake's unconventional creativity and profound philosophical insights have since earned him recognition as one of the most influential figures in both Romantic literature and visual arts. His legacy continues to inspire artists and thinkers, inviting audiences to explore the depths of human existence and imagination.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit