DOMENICO DI MICHELINO
(b. 1417, Firenze, d. 1491, Firenze)

Dante and the Three Kingdoms

1465
Oil on canvas
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence

The artist named himself after his master, a certain Michelino. He had his painterly training under Fra Angelico whose assistant he also became. His style is similar to that of Filippo Lippi and Pesellino.

In this painting the three kingdoms are represented: the Purgatory in the centre background, the Hell at left, and the heavenly City at right. This painting is especially interesting because it shows us, apart from scenes of the Divine Comedy, a view of Florence in 1465, a Florence such as Dante himself could not have seen in his time.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 16 minutes):
Franz Liszt: Dante-sonata