Ary Scheffer (1795-1858) was a "French painter of Dutch extraction" who drew from various literary sources such as Byron, Goethe, and here, Dante, from his famous Inferno.

Dante -- showing himself to be the ultimate fanboy -- has been taking a romp through Hell with Roman great Virgil, of Aeneid fame. In one part of their journey, they encounter a pair of shades -- the entwined couple depicted here, Francesca da Rimini and her lover. Their story is that da Rimini, who has been reading a romance, is interrupted by a kiss from her impetuous young man. da Rimini's jealous husband, who has been looking on, kills them both.

Does anyone else think Virgil here looks like he's had more -- let's put it eloquently -- action than Dante? He regards the airborne couple with something of a lighter, pondering air, while Dante consumes the scene with his plain stare (his furrowed brow may indicate disapproval -- or mere habit of deep thinking, seeing as he's poetically inclined -- but this is no doubt feigned in order to throw us off his tracks). Trouble is I can't tell whether he's eyeing up da Rimini or her buff paramour.

A friend once mused that she'd like to name one of her sons Dante. I told her I preferred Virgil, but I conceded that his playground nickname would likely be "Virgin." Dante, similarly, would be "Dainty." Got more? Share!