Farinata 

Gustave Doré made this wood engraving of Farinata around the 1860s, during a period of political and social upheaval in France. It illustrates a scene from Dante's Inferno, where Dante encounters Farinata degli Uberti, a Florentine nobleman condemned to Hell for heresy. Doré was one of the most successful illustrators of his time, and this image exemplifies his dramatic style, using stark contrasts and meticulous detail. It's interesting to consider how the cultural and political climate of Doré's France shaped his interpretation of Dante's text. France experienced rapid industrialization, urbanization, and social inequality, alongside the rise of mass media and popular culture. Doré's illustrations tapped into this burgeoning market for accessible art, reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of a rapidly changing society. To understand the full context of Doré's artistic choices, scholars consult a variety of sources, including contemporary literary criticism, political pamphlets, and visual culture. Art is never made in a vacuum, and its meaning is always contingent on the social and institutional forces that shape its production and reception.