TheDante death mask plays a key role inDan Brown’s Inferno novel.
This precious object is preserved in thePalazzo Vecchio in Florence, most specifically in a smallandito (hallway) on the first floor, between the Apartments of Eleanor and the Halls of Priors.
In the past, this relief was considered to be the actual Dante death mask, carved directly from the face of the lifeless Dante Alighieri.
Recent studies, though, consider it more likely that this relief is the cast of alost sepulchral effigy of Dante.
Of course, this theory does not deprive the mask of its value and itssuggestive power: that is why the mask is still preserved in the most important palace in Florence.
Dante Alighieri, the Florentine poet and father of the Italian language, died in exile in Ravenna (near Bologna) in 1321.
According to tradition, the effigy from which the mask was sculpted was preserved in thetomb of Dante in Ravenna.
The mask kept in Palazzo Vecchio was probably carved in1483 by Pietro and Tullio Lombardo.
In the middle of sixteenth century, the mask was donated to sculptorGiambologna, who then gave it to his scholar Pietro Tacca.
Dante’s death mask became a model of study for young artists.
Around 1830 the mask belonged to sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini, who donated it to English painter and Dante scholarSeymour Kirkup, also famous for having contributed to the discovery of theportrait of Dante attributed to Giotto in the chapel of the Bargello Palace.
This is why the Dante death mask is also known asMaschera Kirkup (Kirkup Mask).
Kirkup’s widow gave the mask to literary critic Alessandro D’Ancona, who was at that time a senator of the Kingdom of Italy.
Senator D’Ancona gave the Dante death mask to thePalazzo Vecchio in 1911.
Before his exile, Dante held several political positions in Florence, including the role of Prior from June 15 to August 15, 1300.
His death mask is now stored in the Palazzo Vecchio to honor both his political contribution to the city of Florence and his essential role in the development ofItalian literature, culture, and civilization.
If you are interested in reading a good, easy to understand rendition ofThe Divine Comedy which includes several drawings selected from Botticelli’s series of illustrations, we recommend theMandelbaum edition.
Florence Inferno
Florence Inferno is a blog about the Florentine mysteries, symbols, and places that are mentioned in Dan Brown’s latest novelInferno, and much more about the city. We also offer aguided Inferno walking tour, which follows the footsteps of Robert and Sienna, as well as anan eBook with an audio version.
