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Dante and Beatrice
Dante and Beatrice
Dante and Beatrice

Dante and Beatrice

Artist (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1806 - 1864)
Associated (Florence, Italy, 1265 - 1321)
Mediumoil on canvas
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 155.3 cm, Width: 80 cm
Frame: Height: 172.3 cm, Width: 97.8 cm
AcquisitionBequeathed in 1940 by Miss Ella C Dyce.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG003202
About MeThe son of a medical professor, William Dyce studied medicine and theology at Marischal College in Aberdeen. His first artistic training was a brief period at the Royal Academy Schools in London. Afterwards he studied in Rome where he was influenced by Nazarenes. His works often have medieval and religious themes. (He retained a deep interest in church music and rituals throughout his life).

This unfinished painting depicts Dante and Beatrice rising through the heavens. Dante Alighieri fell in love with Beatrice Portinari (1266-1290) in his native Florence. She died at the age of 24, but in his 'Divine Comedy', Dante imagines his reunion with Beatrice in the afterlife and she becomes his guide through the different levels of Paradise. He invests his love for her with religious significance and through it he is led to a state of grace. In this picture Beatrice is represented beside Dante pointing the way to the next higher sphere. The composition is focused on the movement of the two figures in a diagonal direction, which produces dynamism in the scene. They are crowned with laurels, the attribute of great artists and poets.

The religious and pure love that Dante describes in his poems was an important source of inspiration for the Pre-Raphaelite painters but Dyce's interest in this subject probably stems from his earlier friendship with the Nazarene's in Rome. Dyce made at least one other painting depicting Beatrice, also known as 'Lady with the Coronet of Jasmine' (Aberdeen Art Gallery), which was commissioned by Gladstone.

More About Me
Dyce’s unfinished painting depicts Beatrice guiding Dante through Paradise. Their love affair ended tragically with Beatrice’s death aged 24. Dante expresses his love and desire to be reunited with her in his ‘Divine Comedy’.