Canto II. Ante-Purgatory / The Shore of the Island; The Angel Boatman; Cato of Utica; Casella c. 15th century

Curator: Here we see an anonymous engraving, "Canto II. Ante-Purgatory / The Shore of the Island," depicting a scene from Dante's Purgatorio. Editor: Immediately, the stark contrast of light and shadow creates a somber, almost ethereal mood. Curator: Indeed. The artist uses fine lines to distinguish figures and landscape, setting the stage for Dante's journey towards redemption. Note the angel boatman ferrying souls. Editor: The materiality of the print itself, the way the ink sits on the page, gives a tactile sense of the journey—the wear and tear, like spiritual cleansing. Curator: The figures display a classical influence, their poses suggesting a reverence and anticipation of what's to come in the afterlife. Editor: It’s interesting how the production of this print, likely a collaborative effort, mirrors the collective struggle toward salvation depicted. Curator: A beautiful way to connect form and content! Editor: Yes, it makes you consider the labor involved in producing this image, much like the soul’s labor in Purgatory.