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

Henry Fuseli made this oil sketch, "Head of a Damned Soul from Dante's Inferno," sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Fuseli was a key figure in the Romantic movement, and this work exemplifies the era’s fascination with intense emotion and the sublime. Fuseli, who was born in Switzerland but spent much of his career in Britain, drew inspiration from literature, especially Dante's "Inferno". The painting is a study in psychological torment. Note how the face is contorted and the eyes are closed, perhaps to shut out the horrors of hell. What's most striking is Fuseli’s ability to convey such profound suffering with loose brushwork and dramatic lighting. To truly appreciate Fuseli’s art, we can look into the social context of the time by exploring the relationship between artistic institutions, the print market, and the rise of public exhibitions, allowing us to understand the public role of art. This adds layers of meaning to the work.