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- Ary Scheffer (1795 - 1858)
- Probably Félicie de Fauveau (1801 - 1886), (frame)
- Francesca da Rimini
- France
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- Date: 1835
- Object Type: Painting
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Image size: 166.5 x 234 cm
- Object size: 253 x 322 x 23.5 cm
- Inv: P316
- Location: West Gallery III
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- Description
- Provenance
- Marks/Inscriptions
- Further Reading
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- Scheffer enjoyed enormous success with sentimental and religious scenes, many of which became the subject of popular engravings. 'Francesca da Rimini' was one of his most admired works – this is the first version. George Eliot said of a version that was exhibited in England in 1854 that she 'could look at it for hours'. A subject from Dante’s 'Inferno', the painting shows Dante and his guide, the Roman poet Virgil, during their passage through Hell. They look on the tragic figures of Paolo and Francesca, condemned with the souls of the lustful to the stormy darkness of Hell’s second circle. Francesca was forced to marry the hideous Gianciotto da Rimini, but fell in love with his handsome younger brother, Paolo. In 1285 they were murdered by Gianciotto after he saw Paolo kiss Francesca while they were reading an account of the love of Sir Lancelot for Queen Guinevere.
The painting has a remarkable frame which complements its subject, probably designed by Félicie de Fauveau. It was added to it when it was owned (1853-70) by Anatole Demidoff, Prince of San Donato. Demidoff had hung the picture in the Malachite Saloon at San Donato, near Florence, with six other modern French paintings, including Delaroche's 'Execution of Lady Jane Grey' (London, National Gallery).
- Scheffer enjoyed enormous success with sentimental and religious scenes, many of which became the subject of popular engravings. 'Francesca da Rimini' was one of his most admired works – this is the first version. George Eliot said of a version that was exhibited in England in 1854 that she 'could look at it for hours'. A subject from Dante’s 'Inferno', the painting shows Dante and his guide, the Roman poet Virgil, during their passage through Hell. They look on the tragic figures of Paolo and Francesca, condemned with the souls of the lustful to the stormy darkness of Hell’s second circle. Francesca was forced to marry the hideous Gianciotto da Rimini, but fell in love with his handsome younger brother, Paolo. In 1285 they were murdered by Gianciotto after he saw Paolo kiss Francesca while they were reading an account of the love of Sir Lancelot for Queen Guinevere.