Object number2002.42.9
L’Inferno of Dante I: IIIiii On Charon’s Boat (text)
Date2000
Artist
Michael Mazur
(American, 1935-2009)
CultureAmerican
MediumText printed on UV Ultra paper
DimensionsSheet: 25 1/4 x 19 3/4 in. (64.14 x 50.17 cm)
Credit LinePurchase, Philip and Lynn Straus, class of 1946
Period20th c
Classification(s)
InscribedOn recto, in black typed lettering: Ⅲ ii / SULLA BARCA DI CARONTE ON CHARON'S BOAT / ... Poi si ritrasser tutte quante insieme, / forte piangendo, a la riva malvagia / ch'attende ciascun uom che Dio non teme. / Caron dimonio, con occhi di bragia, / 110 loro accennando, tutte le raccoglie; / batte col remo qualunque s'adagia. / Come d'autunno si levan le foglie / l'una appresso de l'altra, fin che 'l ramo / vede a la terra tutte le sue spoglie, / similemente il mal seme d'Adamo / gittansi di quel lito ad una ad una, / per cenni come augel per suo richiamo. / Così sen vanno per l'onda bruna, / e avanti che sien di là discese, / 120 anche di qua nuova schiera s'auna. / "Figliuol mio", disse 'l maestro cortese, / "quelli che muoion ne l'ira di Dio / tutti convegnon qui d'ogne paese; / e pronti sono a trapassar lo rio..." / ... With wails / And tears they gathered on the evil shore / That waits for all who don't fear God. There demon / Charon beckons them, with his eyes of fire; 90 / Crowded in a herd, they obey if he should summon, / And he strikes at any laggards with his oar. / As leaves in quick succession sail down in autumn / Until the bough beholds its entire store / Fallen to the earth, so Adam's evil seed / Swoop from the bank when each is called, as sure / As a trained falcon, to cross to the other side / Of the dark water; and before one throng can land / On the far shore, on this side new souls crowd. / "My son," said the gentle master, "here are joined 100 / The souls of all who die in the wrath of God; / From every country, all of them eager to find / Their way across the water..."
ProvenanceArtist to Mary Ryan Gallery
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