Ascent to the Fifth Circle 

Gustave Doré’s “Ascent to the Fifth Circle” presents Dante and Virgil in a landscape of stark contrasts, achieved through the graphic process of wood engraving. Doré didn’t physically carve the blocks himself; instead, he outsourced this labor to a team of skilled artisans. This division of labor allowed for the mass production of images, reflecting a shift towards industrialization that influenced artistic practices of the 19th century. Consider how Doré’s detailed lines evoke a sense of depth and texture, shaping the figures and the rocky terrain they navigate. Notice the angel rendered with delicate lines, in contrast with the jagged, dark rocks surrounding the figures. This contrast between light and shadow heightens the drama of Dante’s spiritual journey. The use of wood engraving allowed Doré to create highly detailed images, yet it also reflects a wider social context where artistic labor was increasingly commodified. By understanding how the image was made and the hands involved, we see the profound connection between material, making, and meaning.