The Barque of Dante (after Delacroix) 1870

Paul Cézanne’s 1870 painting, “The Barque of Dante (after Delacroix),” is a reinterpretation of Eugène Delacroix’s famous 1822 painting, “The Barque of Dante.” In Cézanne’s version, the figures are rendered in a more simplified and geometric style, characteristic of his later work. The dark and stormy scene depicts Dante and Virgil’s journey through the Inferno, with figures struggling in a turbulent sea. The composition and color palette suggest a sense of chaos and despair, while the overall design highlights Cézanne’s growing interest in form and structure. This oil-on-canvas painting remains in a private collection.