The Circle of Traitors: Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate 1820 - 1832

"The Circle of Traitors: Dante's Foot Striking Bocca degli Abbate" (1820-1832) is a lithograph by the English artist William Blake. The artwork, which is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, depicts a scene from Dante's *Inferno*, specifically Canto 32, in which Dante and Virgil encounter Bocca degli Abbate, one of the betrayers in hell. The scene features Dante, Virgil, and several figures submerged in a dark and watery underworld. Blake's distinct style is evident in the detailed lines, intricate patterns, and stark contrasts between light and dark. This work is a powerful example of Blake's interest in religious imagery and the exploration of human morality.