Virgil Girding Dante’s Brow with a Rush 1824 - 1827

Curator: Here we have William Blake's "Virgil Girding Dante’s Brow with a Rush," currently housed in the Tate Collections. Editor: It's strangely tender, isn't it? A wash of blue sky looming over these fragile figures huddled on the shore. Almost feels like a dream. Curator: Blake's use of watercolor and light sketching emphasizes the ethereal quality. The reed, or rush, that Virgil places on Dante's head could symbolize humility and purification, preparing him for his journey. Editor: Or maybe it's about guidance, Virgil crowning Dante as he steels him for the torments ahead. I feel like they are clinging to each other in this desolate landscape. It's quite moving. Curator: Considering the socio-political turmoil of Blake's time, perhaps this scene is also an allegory for the artist seeking solace and guidance during times of upheaval. The materials themselves—paper and watercolor—were readily accessible, tools for democratizing art. Editor: I see it, the desperation. But also a sense of quiet hope, that even in the harshest realms, connection and creativity bloom. Curator: Indeed, a powerful piece about the resilience of the human spirit. Editor: Beautifully put. It’s a glimpse of divine grace in what feels like a very harsh world.