Delacroix is known for his dramatic use of color to
emphasize and heighten emotion in his paintings. Influencing his style were
Michelangelo and Peter Rubens, as Delacroix was self-taught and studied
specifically those artists developing his own skills by adopting some of their
techniques and style. Leaving behind just the drama beautiful figures that
Michelangelo and Rubens used in their works, Delacroix improved upon this by
adding intense color and thematic elements to enhance his paintings.
Seen here is Dante’s odyssey into Hell with Virgil guiding
him through the land of agony and misery. Quite a gruesome depiction, Delacroix
emphasizes the putrescence of the tormented souls’ bodies by deepening the blue
of the water, making them look a sickly white offset by the warmth of Dante and
Virgil’s complexions. Serving to show the grief of these anguished souls, some
seek refuge from their fate by trying to climb onto the boat while some lie twisting
in anguish devouring one another. The horror of the scene is realized in
Dante’s figure, as he gestures in disgust and fear of these monsters
surrounding he and Virgil. Virgil, however, stands calm and placid,
acknowledging the just punishment of the wicked and calmly taking Dante by the
hand is reassuring him of his guidance. The glow of a fiery city in the
background anticipates even more horrors to come in that dark place of death.
