Visions of Heaven

In Visions of Heaven, Martin Kemp examines Dante's influence on Renaissance and Baroque artists, focusing on themes of divine light and visual perception.

This significant study by esteemed scholar Martin Kemp explores the profound influence of Dante's vision of divine light on Renaissance and Baroque visual artists. Dante Alighieri, one of Europe's most revered writers, possessed an extraordinary imaginative capacity alongside a deep understanding of the scientific principles of his time. His poetry is rich with vivid imagery, and in Visions of Heaven, Kemp delves into Dante's portrayal of divine light and its profound implications for the artists who followed in his footsteps. The book presents a fresh perspective on the longstanding debate about the superiority of different art forms, known as the paragone, which originated during the Renaissance. Dante's evocative descriptions of divine illumination posed a formidable challenge for painters, one that would take centuries to address.

A central theme of Dante's Divine Comedy, especially in the third part called Paradiso, revolves around his experiences of seeing. While his earthly visual perceptions adhere to the rules of optics, in heaven, he encounters a divine light that defies these principles. This overwhelming brightness often blinds him, setting a tone for artists striving to depict the indescribable radiance. Kemp highlights how Raphael emerges as a master of spiritual light, while Correggio captivates audiences with his dome illusions in Parma Cathedral. Gaulli's work in the Jesuit Church of Rome further exemplifies this theme, as he uses light to create a transcendent experience filled with glowing angels.

Published to mark the 700th anniversary of Dante's death, Visions of Heaven combines a meticulous analysis of Dante's poetry with explorations of early optics and the artistic innovations of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. This engaging study offers readers a rich, visually stimulating exploration of how Dante's vision has influenced the art world and captivated artists throughout history.