Lithophane Sèvres - 19th Century

Sèvres lithophane in fine, translucent porcelain reveals a detailed scene here backlit. This technique was particularly developed in the 19th century, notably by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres. It is a scene taken from Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, more precisely from Hell or Purgatory. An angel in the center, with outstretched wings and a sword, seems to show the way or repel the damned souls, two figures dressed in long robes on the right: they are most certainly Dante and Virgil, the protagonists of the poem. Tormented souls on the ground, in painful positions, reminiscent of classical representations of Hell. In the background on the right, we can see a ferryman in a boat, probably Charon, the ferryman of Hell responsible for transporting souls on the River Styx or Acheron. Sèvres lithophanies are not only technical masterpieces, but also highly prized collector's items, often inspired by literature, religion, or classical history. This one depicts a dramatic and deeply symbolic scene, made even more powerful by the play of light through the porcelain.