Illustration to Dante's Divine Comedy, Hell 

This illustration by William Blake depicts a scene from Dante's "Inferno," Canto III, where the poet witnesses the souls of the damned being ferried across the River Acheron. The scene is characterized by a sense of chaos and despair, with the souls in the boat reaching out towards the shore, while those on land are depicted as wraiths, their bodies emaciated and pale. Blake's unique style, known for its vivid imagery and symbolic details, is evident in the use of dark, brooding colors and the expressive figures that populate the composition. The illustration serves as a powerful visual representation of Dante's vision of hell, emphasizing the torment and desolation that await those who have succumbed to sin.