SIGNORELLI, Luca
(b. ca. 1450, Cortona, d. 1523, Cortona)

The Damned Being Plunged into Hell

1499-1502
Fresco
Chapel of San Brizio, Duomo, Orvieto

The scene of the Damned is constructed around the visionary, almost surrealistic, idea of these crowds of naked figures jostling for space along the banks of the Acheron.

In this representation, at the foot of two big mountains, along the shore of the Acheron, a devil with a white banner leads a group of damned. Other damned are in despair since they see Charon's boat getting near. Below there is Minos punishing a damned man. Above, two angels, one wearing a breast-plate and the other covered with veils, are watching the scene.