Portrait of Dante

The striking profile of the poet, which has been drawn over in black, clearly contrasts with the light background. In accordance with traditional depictions, Dante is wearing a red cloak and red cap above a white bonnet. Botticelli was surely familiar with Domenico de Michelino’s fresco of Dante in Florence Cathedral, as this was the first to show the poet with a laurel wreath on his head.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 16 minutes):

Franz Liszt: Dante-sonata