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    Dante's Divine Comedy
    Dante's Divine Comedy
    Dante's Divine Comedy
    Ebook122 pages13 minutes

    Dante's Divine Comedy

    By Seymour Chwast

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    The "left-handed designer," Seymour Chwast has been putting his unparalleled take-and influence-on the world of illustration and design for the last half century. In his version of Dante's Divine Comedy, Chwast's first graphic novel, Dante and his guide Virgil don fedoras and wander through noir-ish realms of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, finding both the wicked and the wondrous on their way.

    Dante Alighieri wrote his epic poem The Divine Comedy from 1308 to 1321 while in exile from his native Florence. In the work's three parts (Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise), Dante chronicles his travels throughthe afterlife, cataloging a multitude of sinners and saints-many of them real people to whom Dante tellingly assigned either horrible punishment or indescribable pleasure-and eventually meeting both God and Lucifer face-to-face.


    In his adaptation of this skewering satire, Chwast creates a visual fantasia that fascinates on every page: From the multifarious torments of the Inferno to the host of delights in Paradise, his inventive illustrations capture the delirious complexity of this classic of the Western canon.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBloomsbury USA
    Release dateDec 16, 2014
    ISBN9781608198771
    Dante's Divine Comedy
    Author

    Seymour Chwast

    Seymour Chwast was born in New York City and is a graduate of The Cooper Union, where he studied illustration and graphic design. He worked as a junior designer in the advertising department of the New York Times, then for House and Garden and Glamour magazines. He is a founding partner of the celebrated Push Pin Studios, whose distinct style has had a worldwide influence on contemporary visual communications. In 1985 the studio's name was changed to the Pushpin Group, of which Mr. Chwast is the director. He received the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) Medal in 1985, was inducted into the Art Directors Hall of fame and has an honorary Ph.D in Fine Art from the Parsons School of Design. His work is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other major museums around the world. He was a visiting lecturer at art schools in New York and vice-president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (1974-8), New York. More information about Mr. Chwast can be found at www.pushpininc.com.

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    Reviews for Dante's Divine Comedy

    3.5/5

    103 ratings20 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I was rather captivated by this graphic adaptation of the classic Dante Divine Comedy. I think some of us regard the full poem a rather daunting read, and this cleverly presented effort was fun to walk through. The traveler, Dane, looks like a clsssic detective and wears modern dress, smoking a pipe. He might be Sherlock Holmes being guided by a Poirot as Vergil through Hell and Purgatory. Beatrice looks like a movie star of the 1920's or 30's and takes Dante into Heaven. I cannot attest to the veracity of every image, but I think they do capture the story pretty well.
    • 2/5
      A graphic novel that could serve as a cliff notes to the original "Divine Comedy," but brings nothing of its own to the table. The only creative license is to update the clothing to something more modern, like from the 1930's and 40's, but it doesn't add to anything. Unfortunately, the simplicity of the illustrations doesn't connect well with the ideas, and the sparse narration is simply who is doing what and where. It's unsurprising at how hurried everything feels, since it took the three journeys and put them into single sitting digest, but even the memorable moments are glossed over in a rush to the end. If you're looking to remember what punishments happened in what layer of hell, it's a good reminder. But anyone who wants to read a new interpretation of the classic or get lost in a visualization of their favorite cantos is better off finding something else.
    • 5/5
      A slightly irreverent look at Dante's Divine Comedy in the form of a graphic novel. While reading it I wondered how Mad magazine would treat The Divine Comedy. This will be fun to pull off the shelf from time to time and "read" it again.
    • 4/5
      While Chwast's illustrations are often clever and evoctive, there is an unevenness to this treatment of the Divine Comedy - it may be that certain cantos simply don't fit Chwast's style very well. There is also a rushed feel to this rendering; for although it certainly pulls you along, it feels a bit jumpy between some scenes. Overall, it's a promising idea, and Chwast does exhibit some unique virtues in many of his illustrations, but I would rather see a longer treatment in a more detailed, evocative style.
    • 4/5
      Chwast's simple black and white illustrations take us into Dante's vision of inferno, purgatory and paradise.
    • 3/5
      I rated 3 stars but in fact I mean 4 for the great idea of explaining the Divine Comedy with XXth century graphic references but 2 for the execution. Still, there is a good bunch of imagination invested there. If, like me, you happen to find it in the public library do not hesitate borrowing it.
    • 3/5
      I feel much the same as many of the other reviewers. The concept was great but the execution badly misfired. The book was much too short for the reader to get an appreciation of the story. It would have been better if Chwast had taken the full-length Divine Comedy and illustrated it with his drawings.
    • 3/5
      This is a very clear graphic art depiction of the barebones of the comedy. For no obvious reason (link of Italians to mobsters? ) Dante and Vergil look vaguely 1930s (Dante in trench coat etc.) and a few other characters suggest that era but most are straightforward. The pictures are clear but lack the artistic impact of Dore. I can imagine that graphic artists with more gift for detail such as Herge or Brunhoff might have done more justice to the horror of hell or the beauty of heaven. This may be useful as a kind of visual guide to the basics of the text for uninformed students-- I have used it successfully in world history for that purpose -- but I think considered simply as graphic art it does not deserve the fulsome praise in the blurbs on the cover.
    • 2/5
      I'm not even going to waste much time on this review. I didn't really like the book. At all. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars is that it may open up the possibility to someone to read Dante's actual The Divine Comedy because of the simplistic telling here. It may help someone who feels the story too daunting to understand a little better what's happening. Maybe.It's the simplicity that detracts me from enjoying this volume. Chwast takes the epic poem and breaks it down into one line synopses and the crudest illustrations possible to retell the story. I see lots of praise for Chwast and his graphic sense, but honestly, I saw nothing in this book that impressed me at all. I thought the illustrations childish and not very easily understood in some cases.Not recommended, especially if you have ever read the original and enjoyed it. In that case, avoid this at all cost.
    • 2/5
      Seymour Chwast shows no small ambition in attempting a "graphic novel" adaptation of Dante's Commedia, but unfortunately, the results are not that impressive. The poetic elements of Dante's work are almost entirely obliterated, as the language is reduced to narrative prose, simplified dialogue, and an assortment of fragmentary captions and labels. Chwast uses aggressively anachronistic visual designs, making Dante a tall fellow in a trenchcoat and sunglasses, while Virgil wears a bow tie and a bowler. The pace is quite fast, with approximately one page devoted to each of the hundred cantos of the Commedia, and many of the pages having only a single panel of illustration. There is a lot of creative and effective variety in the hand-lettering of the text, although a few grammatical and spelling errors (e.g. "Cerberus ... allows we poets to enter the circle" on p. 21) take a little of the joy out of that too. Some of the most effective panels are the ones that are schematic--although when it comes to the maps of the three realms, Chawast's deliberately simplified style cannot hold a candle to the intricate triptych by Paul Laffoley. And this sort of competition is one of the reasons that this book faces an uphill battle among readers. Given that the story is unchanged from, and the words less engaging than, its original; it becomes Chwast's task to captivate us with image and visual design. And he is hardly the first to undertake this very specific task. Gustave Dore's engravings illustrating the Commedia are one longstanding and well-known example of an accomplished execution of the graphic form for this work. An even better (though unfinished) version was produced by one who could be considered a principal creator of the "graphic novel" in Western culture: William Blake. In the end, Chwast's adptation seems deficient in the sort of grandeur and gravity readers want (and for many centuries, have gotten) from Dante's work. It strikes me like nothing so much as a brilliant student's notebook, drawn while hearing the poet recite his age-defining vision.
    • 2/5
      This seems like a great idea, but unfortunately, it's just a Cliff's Notes summary of the Divine Comedy. So much of what makes the Divine Comedy amazing is the beauty of the poetry, the depth of the symbolism, and the complexity of meaning. Chwast's graphic rendering is clever and fun, but all it does is summarize, in very broad terms, the main events of the story. I was hoping that the graphics would contribute some sort of interpretation, in a "picture=1,000 words" kind of way, but Chwast's simple line drawings, while delightful, don't really contribute anything to the Dante tradition, nor do they even hint at the complexity of Dante's story.If you're reading the Divine Comedy, and want a nice visual summary of what's happening, Chwast's interpretation will certainly serve that purpose. If you want some sort of grasp of why Dante's work is considered to be one of the best works of literature ever written, or of the depth of meaning embedded in the story, skip this one.
    • 4/5
      What's this? A graphic novel by the celebrated graphic designer Seymour Chwast--and it's an adaptation of one of the greatest works of literature? Yes, please!Honestly I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out--has anyone read something as boring as Purgatorio? And doesn't Paradisio cause your interest to wane while you wistfully remember Dante's graphic portrayal of gluttonous sinners wallow in the excrement of Cerberus? I had read portions Dante's Divine Comedy while a literature major in college--and the professor himself conceded the fact recorded above by completely skipping Purgatorio, reading only smatterings of Paradisio and asking us to read Inferno in its entirety. While, imho, the poet's "La Vita Nuova" far outstrips the Divine Comedy for the lay reader, Chwast has made the most accessible interpretation of this seminal work. I'm wondering how many students will make the mistake of asking in class why Dante portrayed sinners as mafioso when everybody knows Tommy guns weren't around in the 14th century.
    • 4/5
      Seymour Chwast of Pushpin Studios has adapted the Divine Comedy in a series of illustrations. Given the scope and ambition of Dante’s epic trilogy, Chwast has had to economize. But the poetics of visual economy are what make this work stand out, because the artist is famous for his graphic design. (Chwast is one of those graphic artists many have seen, yet few know him by name. His 1967 “End Bad Breath” anti-Vietnam poster is a classic.)Placing the Divine Comedy in a noir setting places the work in a time more familiar to modern readers, at least in terms of the visual grammar. Flapper girls and pipe-smoking detectives exist in our collective memory more easily than the political machinations and theological debates of 14th century Italian city-states. The Black and White Guelphs are now rival gangsters. Beatrice is a demure dame. Chwast makes the monsters and the tortures playful looking, an ironic visual commentary to the horrors of the Inferno. With the horrors of Treblinka, Abu Ghraib, and My Lai, a three-headed dog seems a bit gauche. While the medieval theocratic world of Dante has long since faded, at least in post-Enlightenment Europe, the horrors will be all too familiar.Chwast’s adaptation is no substitute for Dante’s original, although that was probably not his intention. A familiarity with the original will give readers a better appreciation of the illustrations. But a familiarity will be necessary, since there is little in the way of commentary or notes. In that department, check out Penguin’s annotated editions.The playfulness and economy of Chwast’s images place him in the tradition of William Blake and Gustave Doré, both illustrators of the Divine Comedy.
    • 2/5
      An adaptation of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy into a graphic novel. As intriguing as this concept is, I'm not particularly impressed with the writing or the artwork. The first is bland and straightforwardly simple, and ... well, so is the second. I guess one good point here is that now I have a pretty clear idea of the basic structure and events of a pretty complex piece of classical literature.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      I have a much more detailed review at Sequential Tart, but, in summary: Unlike previous volumes, this is well and truly an adaptation. This is a sequential art retelling of The Divine Comedy with spare use of original text. The text accompanies the artwork, not the other way around. Chwast's artistic style — heavy black lines against a pure white background — is deliberately simplistic, almost primitive. His artistic abilities and sensibilities, in their own unique way, perfectly illustrate Dante's absolute morality and ethical outrage. Chwast's adaptation of The Divine Comedy is highly unusual, but no less relevant or (in)appropriate than any of those which preceded it. It is just as uniquely beautiful (art-wise) and instructive (morally and ethically) as Blake and Dore's editions.
    • 5/5
      Early ReviewerDante’s Divine Comedy adapted by Seymour ChwastWhat can I say about this graphic novel that can convey my feelings for it? Incredible, beautiful, divine? The words escape me. Mr. Chwast has taken one of literature’s greatest achievements and given it a touch of the absurd, but don’t get me wrong there is nothing here that degenerates Dante’s original work, if anything this book helps hold it up, inspires you to re-read the original, makes the Divine Comedy intriguing again. Do not let me forget the illustrations, I had thought I recognized this style before, and after a little research discovered that I have been surrounded by Seymour Chwast’s art for my entire life, it is kind of like re-discovering an old dear friend. In summation, I am telling you that you have to go out now and purchase this book, even if you have never read the Divine Comedy, or picked up a graphic novel before , let this edition be your first if only, it is that good.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed every minute of Chwast’s take on Dante’s Divine Comedy. He managed to adapt and distill a masterpiece without exploiting or dumbing it down.At 128 pages, this whirlwind tour that takes you through a Canto or two per page. Even so, the drama doesn’t feel rushed. In fact, if you’re planning on reading the original it would be worthwhile to leave this volume open beside it to keep you grounded in the flow of the narrative.There were many opportunities for a graphic artist to exploit the imagery. I mean, where else do you read about people swimming in pools of excrement as poop rains down from the sky? Chwast’s economic style fairly evoked the imagery without degenerating into crassness. (I can only imagine what would have happened if Crumb tried to do this!)This was my first encounter with Seymour Chwast’s art. It will not be my last.Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided at no cost through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer’s program.
    • 4/5
      Seymour Chwast's graphic novel is a thoroughly enjoyable companion piece to Dante's Comedìa. It's the literary geek's equivalent to action figures, only with delicious irony and style and demanding fewer explanations for one's spouse. Chwast has given us a Divine Comic. [Pre-recorded groans go here.]
    • 4/5
      Chwast's interpretation of Dante's epic is ambitious and entertaining, but falls short of the original poem's classic status. The simple line drawings in plain black and white convey a noir-ish feel and allow the reader to focus on the unfolding plot without becoming mired in details. However, the art and prose may stray too far into the realm of minimalism, leaving striped-down CliffsNotes-esque text and somewhat childish visual renderings of decidedly adult topics. This works to comic effect throughout the Inferno, but as the characters progress to Purgatory and Paradise the juxtaposition begins to lose impact. There are glimpses of originality scattered throughout, but as the tale progresses it seems Chwast alternates from interpretation to simple illustration. For example, the gates of hell are initially shown as fun-house doors and this carnival motif carries forward until the 6th Circle, when it all but disappears. By the time Dante and Virgil exit hell, it seems creative interpretation has been replaced by pure literal renderings. One advantage of the simplified art and text, however, is ease of read and clarity of understanding. The entire volume is easily consumed in 30 - 60 minutes, and the key allegories of Dante's poem are spelled out plainly. I see the this graphic novel as a useful accompaniment to the original text - as mentioned above, somewhat of an illustrated CliffsNotes. Students and casual readers wading through The Divine Comedy will find Chwast's work a useful accompaniment, but there's not enough here to warrant repeated readings. There are scattered tidbits of note throughout (e.g., just as Dante wrote himself into his work, is the pipe-smoking protagonist an image of Chwast?), but nothing of enough substance to draw a repeat audience.
    • 3/5
      Seymour Chwast's adaptation of Dante's Divine Comedy is his first graphic novel. I'm not actually familiar with Chwast's previous work although I feel like I should be. Chwast is an award-winning graphic designer and illustrator. He has also designed several fonts and typefaces. While Dante's Divine Comedy is his first graphic novel, some of Chwast's work has been previously collected in Seymour: The Obsessive Images of Seymour Chwast and in The Left-Handed Designer. So why was I interested in his adaptation of Dante's Divine Comedy when it was offered through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program? Precisely because it was an adaptation of Dante's Divine Comedy, one of the great classics of Western literature.My first true exposure to Dante's Divine Comedy beyond what I had subconsciously picked up as a reader from the collective psyche (it's a highly influential work) was in an undergraduate seminar called "Just for the Hell of It: The Seven Deadly Sins in Music and Literature." As part of the class, we read the first two, and arguably most interesting, books of the Divine Comedy—The Inferno and The Purgatorio. Chwast encompasses both of these as well as The Paradiso in his adaptation of the epic poem, although "Inferno" takes up nearly half of the book. He also includes a very brief introduction to Dante and his work, but then jumps right into his own rendition.I have seen a number of different reactions to Chwast's graphic novel, from those who adore it to those who are absolutely appalled by his "defilement" of the source material. I, for one, found his illustrations to be quite enjoyable and even charming. For the most part his adaptation is fairly straight forward and simple although every so often he provides a visual interpretation that is both delightful and clever. I like the sense of humor that he brought to the Divine Comedy, something that others have taken offense to. Overall, I wasn't blown away by the illustrations, but they frequently made me smile. I get the feeling that I've seen his work before, but I haven't been able to place where yet.I think that it is important to remember that Chwast's adaptation of Dante's Divine Comedy is just that—an adaptation. It never claims to be anything else and for what it is I feel that it's successful. Chwast chooses some of the most famous scenes and highlights of the Divine Comedy to feature in the book (although he does miss some of my personal favorites). Text is kept to a minimum and he offers very little explanation, leaving his artwork to speak for itself. Fortunately, the illustrations can be appreciated even when its difficult to tell exactly what is going on in the narrative or what its significance or meaning is. In fact, the book almost seems like a collection of illustrations inspired by the Divine Comedy more than anything else.For me, the most interesting portions of Chwast's book were "Inferno" and "Purgatory." This seems to indicate that prior familiarity with the Divine Comedy is necessary to really appreciate what Chwast is doing with the work. As soon as I reached "Paradise," which I haven't read, his adaptation started to lose some meaning for me. I can only imagine the confusion of a reader who hasn't previously encountered the Divine Comedy in some form or another before picking up Chwast's adaptation. Chwast's Dante's Divine Comedy certainly can not be used to replace the original , or even serve as a coherent summary, but it makes a lovely companion volume.Experiments in Reading

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