Canto XXIX. Circle 8: Bolgia 9 / The Falsifiers, With Loathsome Diseases; The Alchemists (Capocchio) c. 15th century

Curator: This anonymous woodcut, titled “Canto XXIX. Circle 8: Bolgia 9 / The Falsifiers, With Loathsome Diseases; The Alchemists (Capocchio),” transports us to Dante's Inferno. The jumbled composition really captures that feeling of oppressive dread. Editor: The historical context is crucial here. Dante's "Inferno" is more than just a story; it’s a complex commentary on power, morality, and societal corruption. Seeing the falsifiers, their bodies ravaged, is a stark representation of the consequences of deceit. Curator: I agree. And there's a certain grotesque beauty, too, in the way the artist renders the suffering. The small scale actually intensifies that feeling of being trapped. Editor: The alchemists and the falsifiers were seen as threats to the social order. This image would have served as a cautionary tale, reinforcing social norms through fear and disgust. The lack of attribution is interesting—the message was clearly more important than individual artistic expression. Curator: It’s a stark reminder that art isn't always pretty, but it's almost always saying something. Editor: Indeed. It challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and our societies.