Pirodon’s lithograph of Maignan’s painting, “Le Dante rencontre Matilda"

Eugène Louis Pirodon (1824–1908 after)

"Le Dante rencontre Matilda" (Dante meets Matilda), after the painting of the same name by Albert Pierre René Maignan (1845–1908), exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1881.

Lithograph on heavy wove paper.

Size: (sheet) 80.2 x 57 cm; (image borderline) 45.5 x 33.8 cm.

Lettered below the image borderline (left) “ALBERT MAIGNAN PINXt”; (centre) “IMP J. & A. LEMERCIER PARIS / LE DANTE RENCONTRE MATILDA / D. BERR Fils Editeru, 66, rue de Bondy”; (right) “EUG PIRODON”

Condition: faultless impression in good condition within the image area (i.e. there are no tears, stains, abrasions, holes or foxing), but the outer regions of the margins are lightly soiled (i.e. dusty).

I am selling this huge lithograph for a total cost of AU$123 (currently US$93.39/EUR83.58/GBP75.21 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this marvellous print of Dante meeting Matilda, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

When I first looked that this image of Dante meeting Matilda, my memory took me back to my old school days when I was first introduced to Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, “Dante's Divine Comedy.” Sadly I was not an attentive student “back then” and my interest level was minimal concerning Dante’s travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. This a great shame, as I now have significant thinness in my understanding of the allegorical significance of Dante’s journey.

For those who may also have drifted off at school when Alighieri’s poem was discussed, this lithograph illustrates the moment when Dante has arrived at the summit of Mount Purgatory accompanied by the poet Virgil and meets Matilda. This beautiful lady prepares Dante for his ultimate meeting with Beatrice who takes over Virgil’s role of being Dante’s guide.