Dante: Divina Commedia

Several remarkable illustrated Dante manuscripts exist. To the codex in the British Library, London, Giovanni di Paolo created the magnificent pictures for the Paradiso section. The miniature of the Canto IX shows the city of Florence with the famous cathedral at its centre. From one of its towers, a devil announces the offences of the Powerful of this world. On the left, Dante is lifted in the air by Beatrice and beholds the heroine of love, Cunizza of Treviso, who appears in an aura of light.

Some initials in this manuscript are attributed to the Sienese fresco painter Vecchietta.