Canto XXII. The Fifth Cornice / The Avaricious; The Earthquake; Ascent to the Sixth Cornice - The Gluttonous c. 15th century

Curator: This is a page from an unidentified edition of Dante's Purgatorio, specifically illustrating Canto XXII. Notice how the engraver depicts scenes from the Fifth and Sixth Cornices. What's your initial reaction? Editor: Crowded! My eye doesn’t quite know where to land amidst all those figures and the dense crosshatching. It feels almost claustrophobic, yet there's a sense of movement. Curator: Yes, the multitude of figures, representing the avaricious and the gluttonous, creates a sense of bustling penitence. It's interesting how the artist uses line work to distinguish between the earthly and spiritual realms. Editor: I like that idea of contrasting realms using just lines. Looking at it now, I'm intrigued by the figures climbing what looks like a steep incline. Is that symbolic of spiritual ascent? Curator: Precisely! The ascent symbolizes the purification process, moving from one cornice of sin to the next. Remember, the overarching theme of Purgatorio is transformation. Editor: It's interesting to think how simple lines can convey such a complex spiritual journey. Almost makes you think twice about the images we consume so casually today!