The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Tormenting Ciampolo 1827

William Blake etched "The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Tormenting Ciampolo." Here, winged demons actively torment the naked Ciampolo. Dante, observing from a safe distance, embodies a mix of horror and morbid fascination. The figure of the winged demon reaches back into antiquity, appearing in Mesopotamian iconography as protectors and guardians, though often with a dual nature. In Christian tradition, these figures evolved into symbols of temptation, and the embodiment of evil. The gesture of pointing, seen here, can be traced back to ancient Roman art, often used to accuse or condemn. What we see in Blake’s depiction is how symbols transform, echoing across time. The emotional intensity of the scene—the terror of the tormented, the aggression of the tormentors—resonates deeply, drawing on primal fears and societal anxieties about judgment and punishment. The cycle continues, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings, engaging us in an endless dialogue between past and present.