FRANZ VON BAYROS (AUSTRIAN, 1866-1924)

Franz von Bayros was an illustrator noted for his delicate graphic style. He became infamous as the result of a court case over one of his erotic portfolios and, in 1911, was forced into exile because of his work. He was regarded as a superb draughtsman, in the style of Aubrey Beardsley, with his fine technique and witty, but frequently decadent subject matter. Dante's Divine Comedy is the tale of Dante's journey, guided by Virgil and Beatrice, through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. The scene here depicted is likely to be Minos judging the souls of condemned sinners to one of the lower eight circles of Hell. We see the great monster unmercifully casting those he judges down, while the condemned plead with him to no avail.