Pluto and Virgil 

Gustave Doré's “Pluto and Virgil” depicts a scene from Dante’s Inferno, capturing Pluto, the god of the underworld, in a moment of anguished despair. The iconography here presents Pluto not as a majestic ruler, but as a broken figure, his hands clasped to his face, a universal gesture of grief and torment. This posture echoes across centuries, reminiscent of figures in ancient tragedies, their faces obscured by the weight of fate. Such gestures tap into our collective memory, evoking primal feelings of sorrow and helplessness. Consider the cyclical nature of such motifs, how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, yet maintain their potent emotional core. Doré’s Pluto embodies this powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, connecting us to the enduring human experience of suffering and the timeless quest for meaning in the face of despair.