Blake took a large interest in Dante's The Divine Comedy, (TDC) he painted 100 pieces illustrating Dante's work. Beatrice, the woman wearing the crown on the chariot, was the love of Dante's life; before and after she passed away at the age of 25. She was featured in the afterlife as the main focus in TDC. Dante and Beatrice are finally reunited here, in the afterlife, they are once again conjoined. His lady love had always been looking out for him. She never left him truly alone. Dante looked forward to being reunited with Beatrice throughout his entire life. He became much closer to God in desperation to see her once again.
Blake took those raw passions and pieced them together in this complex illustration. Blake always held an immense lean towards sex and romance. He painted this with as much emotion as the lovers once experienced. He counteracted the pain of Dante with the innocent aspiration of that same man. William Blake captured the utter passion and romance between these lovers with the use of watercolors, Blake's preference in paints. The vision of pinks and blues seep in together to create a serene and joyous landscape.
Visions of heaven, hell and other afterlife venues always appeared to Blake, he had many different views on the subject of life. Here, he showed the couple in heaven. Angels surround Dante as he enters his new world. The griffin has been seen as the transporter or guardian, he too has been mentioned in great detail in TDC. Blake's interpretation of Dante's poem could not have been more spot on. He studied Dante's words to make sure he did not leave out any key factors.
William Blake was fascinated by the imagination and rebelled against the social norms. That proved true throughout each and every single one of his paintings. He outstepped the boundaries of human-like forms. He painted and wrote about creatures, experiences and feelings that most could see as mythical. To him, they became so very true. Living in his mindset fulfilled him in ways earthly habits could not.
