Divine Comedy - L'Enfer - Chant 14 - The Blasphemers - Etching - 118/242 - "Collectors Set"

Art Historical Context

Salvador Dalí’s illustrations for Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy constitute one of the most ambitious illustration cycles of the twentieth century, spanning 100 images across Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso.

In L’Enfer, Chant XIV, Dante and Virgil traverse the Third Ring of the Seventh Circle, where those guilty of violence against God are punished. The blasphemers lie upon scorching sand while fire rains down from above—a landscape defined by exposure and relentless torment.

Dalí’s etching emphasizes stillness under assault. Rather than chaotic movement, the image conveys endurance, defiance, and the weight of consequence. The scene stands as one of the most austere and uncompromising plates in the violence cantos.

Authentication & Documentation

This artwork is accompanied by an Authentication Report created to provide traceable documentation and transparency specific to this individual print. The report supports responsible collecting and informed evaluation of Dalí’s graphic works.

• Edition context and series verification
• Technique and material review (etching characteristics)
• Reference-based research relevant to the Divine Comedy series
• High-resolution photographic documentation

Collecting Significance

Chant XIV is often regarded as one of the most severe and uncompromising images in the Inferno cycle. Its stark symbolism and harsh landscape appeal to collectors drawn to Dante’s moral absolutism and Dalí’s ability to translate abstract theology into powerful visual form.