Virgil and Dante 

Gustave Doré created this engraving depicting Virgil and Dante, capturing a moment of transition through a dark landscape. The path they tread, shrouded by looming rocks and gnarled trees, is steeped in symbolic weight. These natural forms are not merely background; they are active participants in the drama. In the "Inferno", dark woods represent a symbolic space for psychological turmoil, echoing similar motifs found in ancient myths. Consider the "Aeneid," where forests evoke primal fears and encounters with the unknown. The theme of descent and ascent recurs across cultures—from the myth of Orpheus to the shamanic journeys of indigenous peoples. The journey through the underworld is a metaphor for facing one's inner demons, a concept resonating through time. The forest, laden with the fear of the unknown, powerfully engages viewers on a subconscious level. The image, with its primal symbols, reminds us that these motifs continuously resurface, evolving to take on new meanings in various historical contexts.