picture courtesy of Colombia University
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Giancotto Discovers Paolo and Francesca
So far, we've seen a lot of paintings of souls that have already been damned. After all, that part of the sinner's lives is a primary interest of Dante in the Inferno. In doing so, however, we're neglecting the earthly stories of the sinners. I found a painting from 1819 by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres of Francesca an Paolo being "caught in the act," so to speak. Here it is:
Notice Giancotto in the background about to kill the two lovers. Also notice Giancotto's awesome hair. Gotta love the hair.
To me this painting represents also how Francesca was kind of passive towards Paolo when she was explaining their story to Dante. She never used his actual name and just referred to Paolo as Him. In the painting she is turned to the side as if she doesn't want to fully receive the kiss. Almost a rejection.
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