The Circle of the Thieves; Buoso Donati Attacked by the Serpent 1820 - 1832

This is William Blake’s engraving, "The Circle of the Thieves; Buoso Donati Attacked by the Serpent," now at the Metropolitan Museum. The composition is stark; the scene unfolds with a dramatic intensity conveyed through Blake's meticulous use of line and form. The figures, rendered with pronounced musculature, evoke a sense of tormented energy, a visual embodiment of Dante’s inferno. Blake’s focus on the human form allows him to explore themes of transgression and punishment. The serpent, rendered with sinuous lines, coils around Buoso Donati, symbolizing the inescapable consequences of deceit. The stylized lines of the landscape further amplify the emotional tension, creating a sense of claustrophobia. Ultimately, the print destabilizes traditional representations of morality, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of human nature. The artwork prompts a critical examination of moral structures and invites contemplation on the fluid boundaries between virtue and vice.