BOTTICELLI, Sandro
(b. 1445, Firenze, d. 1510, Firenze)

Purgatory X

1490s
Drawing on parchment, 320 x 470 mm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin

Dante and Virgil climb up between rock crevices to the first circle of purgatory. They admire reliefs depicting deeds of exemplary humility on the huge marble walls: the Annunciation to Mary, the dance of David in front of the Ark of the Covenant and the justice of the Emperor Trajan. Two of the proud are creeping up from the right, bent beneath the weight of heavy stones.