Visual Transformations of the Images of Dante Alighieri's Poem "The Divine Comedy: Hell" in European Art Practices

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to reveal the specifics of transformation of visual language as the artistic reflection on Dante’s images in European art practices, in particular in graphic design. The research methodology requires a comprehensive approach and involves the use of methods of art analysis, an empirical method of gathering theoretical and historical material, a method of comparison and generalization. The research uses general scientific methods, in particular the analysis and systematization of scientific literature on the topic of investiga­tion. The historical-factual method was used to identify historical processes and factors that influenced the development of transformation of the visual language of illustration and other visual practices based on it. The scientific nov­elty is in conducting a comparative analysis of visual images based on the study of visualiza­tion of classical literature works. Interpretation of the images of this classic of world literature is given by a number of artists from Sandro Botticelli to Giovanni Tommasi Ferroni, as well as the presence of images of the “Divine Com­edy” in mass and pop cultures are considered: the popularization of Dante, the exploitation of his image in the mass market through graffiti, cartoons, visual novels, websites, profiles in so­cial networks, etc. Methods of adapting Dante’s stylistics for a modern viewer, accustomed to clip products, manifestations of distribution in the most popular social networks, have been determined. Conclusions. The research shows that the unique world of visual language in the illustration and design of book publications is transformed with the help of subjective artistic vision in order to maintain the interest of a mod­ern reader of the pre-classical heritage. As a re­sult of the research, we come to the conclusion that the popularization of the image of Dante in mass culture depends on the individual factor of the world perception of the artist as a cre­ative personality. World classical art becomes the basis for the emergence of new sources of author’s creative approaches to the visual rein­terpretation of the achievements of civilization. The process of transformation of the visual lan­guage of illustrations as components of graphic design ensures long-term support of the spread of images of the “Divine Comedy” not only in Dante Alighieri’s homeland, but also in the Euro­pean art landscape.