The Carnal 1807

Curator: This is "The Carnal" by John Flaxman. Look at those thin, wiry lines! It feels almost dreamlike. Editor: It’s chilling, actually. The minimalist style emphasizes the suffering and vulnerability of the figures trapped in flames. Curator: Oh, absolutely. And Flaxman's skill in capturing Dante's vision so economically is just masterful. Editor: Right, this illustrates a scene from Dante’s Inferno, specifically Canto V. The carnal sinners, driven by lust, are forever swept about in a storm. Curator: A cautionary tale, then, eh? Makes you wonder about the weight of our desires and what it all means, doesn’t it? Editor: It's a powerful reminder of how societal expectations and moral judgments shape our understanding of desire and its consequences, even today.