A View of the Tomb of the Poet Dante
Authors
Issue Date
5/22/2017
Type
Image
Language
Keywords
Italy , Ravenna , Tomb , Dante , Mausoleum , Dante Alighieri , Pietro Lombardo
Alternative Title
Abstract
Description
This image shows the final resting place of Dante, now covered in marble. The front of Dante's tomb features a work of Latin poetry which translates to �The rights of the monarchy, superior to the lakes of Phlaegetonta, the fortunes I sang until my mortal destinies arrived. Since my soul went hosted in better places, and even more fortunate reached among the stars with his Creator, here I am enclosed, Dante, exiled from the earthly land, Whom is the mother of love which created little Florence." This poem references Dante's famous poem The Divine Comedy as Phlaegetonta is a river of blood found in the Seventh Circle of Hell, and punishes those violent to their fellow humans. Seen also is an oil lamp which burns using oil from Florence. The sculpture relief of Dante depicts the poet reading a book and was sculpted by Pietro Lombardo (of Venice) in 1483. The sepulchre itself is 18th century.