The Beatific Vision 1807

Curator: John Flaxman's "The Beatific Vision" presents us with concentric circles of light emanating from a central figure. It is part of the Tate Collection. Editor: It feels like an explosion, but a very controlled one. The radiating lines give a sense of powerful energy. Curator: Flaxman, an important figure of the Neoclassical movement, made numerous illustrations for literary works. This one visualizes a scene from Dante’s *Paradise*. The lines, quite rigid, are typical of his printmaking style. Editor: Flaxman’s approach really challenges conventional notions of art. The labor required to produce these incredibly precise lines… It merges the graphic and the divine. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the socio-political context too: Flaxman's illustrations gained popularity due to their accessibility through printmaking. They made high art available to a wider audience, challenging the elite art establishment. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, but the act of mass production really does democratize the image. Curator: Thinking about process gives us a new lens. Editor: Indeed, a fitting end to our own dialogue on this work.