The Divine Comedy by Samuel Walsh
University of Limerick proudly presents 'The Divine Comedy' by Samuel Walsh, an awe-inspiring collection inspired by Dante Alighieri's eternal masterpiece.
Samuel Walsh is a leading figure in Irish abstract art. Born in Wimbledon, London in England in 1951 to Irish parents (his mother is from Limerick and his father is from Ennis), Samuel Walsh was educated in London and in Limerick where he attended Villiers Secondary School. He lived in Limerick from 1968 to 1990 and currently lives and works in Co Clare.
Walsh studied art at the Limerick School of Art and Philosophy at Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick. He took his MFA at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.
In a remarkable gesture of generosity, Walsh has donated this significant body of work to the University of Limerick's Art Collections.
INFERNO
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Inferno I
Dante is lost in a valley. He makes towards a sunlit hillside, but finding his way barred by three wild animals, turns for help to Virgil.
Dante is lost in a valley. He makes towards a sunlit hillside, but finding his way barred by three wild animals, turns for help to Virgil.
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Inferno II
Virgil’s account of his commission as Dante’s guide.
Virgil’s account of his commission as Dante’s guide.
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Inferno III
Dante and Virgil pass through the Gate of Hell, into the vestibule of the uncommitted and the pusillanimous, to arrive at the river Acheron.
Dante and Virgil pass through the Gate of Hell, into the vestibule of the uncommitted and the pusillanimous, to arrive at the river Acheron.
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Canto IV
Dante and Virgil enter the First Circle of Hell, Limbo, containing souls of unbaptised children, virtuous pagans, and the great castle of the famed.
Dante and Virgil enter the First Circle of Hell, Limbo, containing souls of unbaptised children, virtuous pagans, and the great castle of the famed.
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Inferno V
The poets make their way past Minos and then to the Circle of the Promiscuous.
The poets make their way past Minos and then to the Circle of the Promiscuous.
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Inferno VI
Dante recovers from a swoon to find himself in the Third Circle of the Gluttonous.
Dante recovers from a swoon to find himself in the Third Circle of the Gluttonous.
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Inferno VII
Dante and Virgil proceed into the Fourth Circle of the Moneygrubbing and Wasteful. Virgil expatiates on Fortune, and the two poets enter the Fifth Circle of the Wrathful and the Sullen, in the lagoons of the Styx.
Dante and Virgil proceed into the Fourth Circle of the Moneygrubbing and Wasteful. Virgil expatiates on Fortune, and the two poets enter the Fifth Circle of the Wrathful and the Sullen, in the lagoons of the Styx.
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Inferno VIII
Dante and Virgil pass over the lagoons of the river Styx in Phlegy’s ferry. They arrive at the Gates of Lower Hell, the City of Dis.
Dante and Virgil pass over the lagoons of the river Styx in Phlegy’s ferry. They arrive at the Gates of Lower Hell, the City of Dis.
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Inferno IX
Dante and Virgil, prevented from entering the City of Dis by hostile demons, have the gates opened for them by a heavenly messenger. They enter to find themselves in the Sixth Circle of Heretics and Sceptics.
Dante and Virgil, prevented from entering the City of Dis by hostile demons, have the gates opened for them by a heavenly messenger. They enter to find themselves in the Sixth Circle of Heretics and Sceptics.
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Inferno X
Dante and Virgil enter the Sixth Circle of the Heretics and Sceptics.
Dante and Virgil enter the Sixth Circle of the Heretics and Sceptics.
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Inferno XI
While pausing before the descending into the abyss of Lower Hell, Virgil teaches Dante the plan and rationale of Hell.
While pausing before the descending into the abyss of Lower Hell, Virgil teaches Dante the plan and rationale of Hell.
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Inferno XII
Dante and Virgil descend into the Seventh Circle of the Violent.
Dante and Virgil descend into the Seventh Circle of the Violent.
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Inferno XIII
Dante and Virgil enter into the Second Round of the Violent, the wood of the suicides and squanderers.
Dante and Virgil enter into the Second Round of the Violent, the wood of the suicides and squanderers.
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Inferno XIV
The two poets enter the Third Round of the Seventh Circle, where on burning sands the violent against God, Nature, and her bounty are punished.
The two poets enter the Third Round of the Seventh Circle, where on burning sands the violent against God, Nature, and her bounty are punished.
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Inferno XV
In the Third Round of the Seventh Circle, Dante encounters an old teacher amongst the sinners guilty of sexual perversions.
In the Third Round of the Seventh Circle, Dante encounters an old teacher amongst the sinners guilty of sexual perversions.
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Inferno XVI
On the burning sands of the Third Round of the Seventh Circle, Dante encounters three more Florentines guilty of sexual perversion.
On the burning sands of the Third Round of the Seventh Circle, Dante encounters three more Florentines guilty of sexual perversion.
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Inferno XVII
Dante talks with the soul of an extortionate banker and he meets Geryon a Manticore.
Dante talks with the soul of an extortionate banker and he meets Geryon a Manticore.
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Inferno XVIII
The Eighth Circle of Hell, Dante discloses, is called Malebolge, divided into ten valleys.
The Eighth Circle of Hell, Dante discloses, is called Malebolge, divided into ten valleys.
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Inferno XIX
In the third valley of Malebolge, Dante meets those clergy guilty of simony.
In the third valley of Malebolge, Dante meets those clergy guilty of simony.
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Inferno XX
In the fourth valley of Malebolge, Dante meets some futurologists.
In the fourth valley of Malebolge, Dante meets some futurologists.
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Inferno XXI
From the natural bridge across the fifth valley of Malebolge, Dante sees the soul of a Lucchese guilty of corruption. Barrators are hurled by a devil into boiling pitch.
From the natural bridge across the fifth valley of Malebolge, Dante sees the soul of a Lucchese guilty of corruption. Barrators are hurled by a devil into boiling pitch.
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Inferno XXII
A damned soul is fished out of the boiling tar of the fifth valley of Malebolge by the demons.
A damned soul is fished out of the boiling tar of the fifth valley of Malebolge by the demons.
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Inferno XXIII
Pursued by the Malebranche, and unable to find a bridge intact across the next valley of Malebolge, Dante and Virgil escape their clutches by descending hastily to the floor of the sixth cleft.
Pursued by the Malebranche, and unable to find a bridge intact across the next valley of Malebolge, Dante and Virgil escape their clutches by descending hastily to the floor of the sixth cleft.
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Inferno XXIV
Dante and Virgil proceed to a vantagepoint from where they can observe the inhabitants of the seventh cleft.
Dante and Virgil proceed to a vantagepoint from where they can observe the inhabitants of the seventh cleft.
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Inferno XXV
Dante and Virgil observe the hideous transformation of five of the souls of the thieves, all Florentines, in the seventh circle of Malebolge.
Dante and Virgil observe the hideous transformation of five of the souls of the thieves, all Florentines, in the seventh circle of Malebolge.
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Inferno XXVI
In the eight cleft of Malebolge, amongst the advisors of deceit and stratagems [souls guilty of the fraudulent use of intellect and eloquence], Dante hears the tale of a fatal voyage.
In the eight cleft of Malebolge, amongst the advisors of deceit and stratagems [souls guilty of the fraudulent use of intellect and eloquence], Dante hears the tale of a fatal voyage.
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Inferno XXVII
In the eight cleft of Malebolge, Dante encounters another advisor of stratagems.
In the eight cleft of Malebolge, Dante encounters another advisor of stratagems.
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Inferno XXVIII
Dante looks down into the ninth valley of Malebolge, where the instigators of scandal and schism are punished.
Dante looks down into the ninth valley of Malebolge, where the instigators of scandal and schism are punished.
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Inferno XXIX
In the tenth valley of Malebolge, where the falsifiers are punished, Dante talks with two alchemists.
In the tenth valley of Malebolge, where the falsifiers are punished, Dante talks with two alchemists.
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Inferno XXX
Amongst the falsifiers, Dante sees the souls of two impersonators.
Amongst the falsifiers, Dante sees the souls of two impersonators.
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Inferno XXXI
Leaving Malebolge, Dante and Virgil encounter the giants who guard the Ninth Circle.
Leaving Malebolge, Dante and Virgil encounter the giants who guard the Ninth Circle.
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Inferno XXXII
In Cocytus, the Ninth Circle of Hell, where the treacherous are punished, Dante and Virgil pass through the zone of Caina, where those guilty of treachery to family and relatives are gathered.
In Cocytus, the Ninth Circle of Hell, where the treacherous are punished, Dante and Virgil pass through the zone of Caina, where those guilty of treachery to family and relatives are gathered.
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Inferno XXXIII
In the second zone of Cocytus, Antenora, Dante hears a story of treachery.
In the second zone of Cocytus, Antenora, Dante hears a story of treachery.
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Inferno XXXIV
Dante and Virgil enter Judecca, the lowest zone of Cocytus, where the souls who betrayed their legitimate superiors and benefactors are totally immersed in the frozen waste. At the central and lowest point lies Satan. Virgil and Dante make their escape to the earth’s surface.
Dante and Virgil enter Judecca, the lowest zone of Cocytus, where the souls who betrayed their legitimate superiors and benefactors are totally immersed in the frozen waste. At the central and lowest point lies Satan. Virgil and Dante make their escape to the earth’s surface.
PURGATORIO
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First Cornice
Dante and Virgil, on the First Cornice of Purgatory, find its wall sculptured with scenes exemplifying humility, and encounter the souls of the proud. On the Cornice of the Proud, Dante hears the souls intoning the Lord’s Prayer. Still on the Cornice of the Proud, Dante firstly pauses to examine the scenes sculptured in bas-relief on the path which depict the downfall of the arrogant, and then submits himself to the guardian angel of the cornice.
Dante and Virgil, on the First Cornice of Purgatory, find its wall sculptured with scenes exemplifying humility, and encounter the souls of the proud. On the Cornice of the Proud, Dante hears the souls intoning the Lord’s Prayer. Still on the Cornice of the Proud, Dante firstly pauses to examine the scenes sculptured in bas-relief on the path which depict the downfall of the arrogant, and then submits himself to the guardian angel of the cornice.
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Second Cornice
On the Second Cornice, where the sin of envy is purged, the poets hear the disembodied voices recalling exempla of charity. On the Cornice of the Envious, as Dante and Virgil ascend, the disembodied voices are heard again. The guardian angel of the Cornice of the Envious absolves Dante, who with Virgil ascends to the Third Cornice.
On the Second Cornice, where the sin of envy is purged, the poets hear the disembodied voices recalling exempla of charity. On the Cornice of the Envious, as Dante and Virgil ascend, the disembodied voices are heard again. The guardian angel of the Cornice of the Envious absolves Dante, who with Virgil ascends to the Third Cornice.
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Third Cornice
Enveloped by smoke on the Cornice of the Angry, Dante and Virgil hear the Agnes Dei recited. On the Third Cornice, Dante is subject to visions of exempla of anger.
Enveloped by smoke on the Cornice of the Angry, Dante and Virgil hear the Agnes Dei recited. On the Third Cornice, Dante is subject to visions of exempla of anger.
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Fourth Cornice
Prompted by Dante, Virgil explains to him the nature of love and, as far as he is able to discern, its relation to the concept of free will. In the early hours of the morning of the third day in Purgatory, on the Fourth Cornice, Dante dreams he is confronted by a Siren.
Prompted by Dante, Virgil explains to him the nature of love and, as far as he is able to discern, its relation to the concept of free will. In the early hours of the morning of the third day in Purgatory, on the Fourth Cornice, Dante dreams he is confronted by a Siren.
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Fifth Cornice
On the Fifth Cornice, Dante hears the souls of the avaricious and the wasters recite examples of true liberality. An earthquake shakes the mountain. Virgil and Dante encounter another poet.
On the Fifth Cornice, Dante hears the souls of the avaricious and the wasters recite examples of true liberality. An earthquake shakes the mountain. Virgil and Dante encounter another poet.
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Sixth Cornice
Dante and Virgil hear a voice issuing from a tree enjoining moderation, and provide examples of the virtue. On the Sixth Cornice a friend of Dante’s from Florence castigates the women of Florence for their immodest dress! Passing by a second tree on the cornice, Dante submits to the Angel of Temperance.
Dante and Virgil hear a voice issuing from a tree enjoining moderation, and provide examples of the virtue. On the Sixth Cornice a friend of Dante’s from Florence castigates the women of Florence for their immodest dress! Passing by a second tree on the cornice, Dante submits to the Angel of Temperance.
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Seventh Cornice
On arriving upon the next cornice the three poets hear the souls of the sexually promiscuous, purged in fire, recite examples of chastity. Dante meets another poet and talks with him amongst the souls of the sexually promiscuous. Dante submits to the guardian angel of the Seventh Cornice of the Promiscuous, and with Virgil and another poet passes through its flames. Virgil then offers his last advice to Dante.
On arriving upon the next cornice the three poets hear the souls of the sexually promiscuous, purged in fire, recite examples of chastity. Dante meets another poet and talks with him amongst the souls of the sexually promiscuous. Dante submits to the guardian angel of the Seventh Cornice of the Promiscuous, and with Virgil and another poet passes through its flames. Virgil then offers his last advice to Dante.
PARADISO
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Dante finds himself with Beatrice in the Garden of Eden. He hears music and finds himself surrounded by a great sea of light. To journey further they must rise beyond a sphere of fire. This takes them to the first of a series of ten heavens. In the process they visit the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The Moon is the nearest planet to the earth in the natural universe so it is the first they visit. They next journey to Mercury where they observe souls of light. They move onto Venus and Dante notices that Beatrice grows more radiant as they progress through the celestial spheres. This is explained by the planet Venus being associated with love. When Dante and Beatrice ascend to the Sun they leave behind the previous spheres that are tinged with the Sun’s shadow. The Sun is the epitome of intellectual illumination and according to Ptolemy the fourth planet from the earth. Dante is then raised to the Heaven of Mars a sphere crossed by two bands of white light that form a cross. Here Dante learns that in the future he will be exiled from Florence. The two travellers then move to Saturn where they view for the first time in the distance a golden ladder leading to a starry heaven. They stay briefly by Saturn and then rise to this place of fixed stars, the eighth and last of the astronomical spaces. From this place they observe a heavenly zenith. Dante is struck blind by the intensity of light. Dante and Beatrice ascend to the Premium Mobile a place that is no space and that directs the movement of the other eight heavens and where time is measured. The bright light of Paradise becomes apparent to Dante. Here Dante regains his sight and first becomes aware of the Celestial Rose. This rose shines with such intense whiteness that it seems yellow. Beatrice departs leaving Dante swathed in light. Dante is surrounded by a rigid symmetry and perfection associated with the divine. God’s heavenly kingdom is as satisfying to the intellect as geometrical design! In the end Dante loses his power to represent and enters a spiritual state beyond description.
