Head of a Damned Soul from Dante's "Inferno," (verso) 1770 - 1778

This oil painting by Henry Fuseli, titled "Head of a Damned Soul from Dante's 'Inferno,'" (verso), depicts a tormented figure, perhaps from one of the nine circles of hell described in Dante's *Inferno*. The contorted face, with eyes squeezed shut and mouth agape, suggests intense suffering and anguish, captured with a dramatic use of light and shadow. The painting, dated between 1770 and 1778, showcases Fuseli's fascination with the macabre and his ability to evoke a strong emotional response in the viewer. This small-scale work, now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to Fuseli's talent for capturing the human figure in a state of profound despair.