059 Ninth Circle – The traitors in the frozen lake Cocytus Divina Commedia (1444-1450)

The scene unfolds within a stark and desolate landscape dominated by jagged, dark rock formations that rise sharply on the right side. A frozen expanse stretches across much of the foreground, its surface populated by numerous figures embedded in the ice. The color palette is muted, primarily consisting of browns, grays, and blues, with occasional flashes of red emanating from within the icy depths.
Three central figures are positioned near the front of the composition. One, clad in a vibrant pink robe, stands slightly apart, observing the scene with an expression that suggests both curiosity and detachment. To his right, another figure, dressed in crimson and sporting a long beard, gestures towards the third individual. This final figure, draped in a blue cloak, is bent over, seemingly examining one of the frozen figures within the ice.
The individuals trapped within the ice are rendered with varying degrees of detail; some faces are visible, contorted in expressions of anguish or despair, while others are obscured by the icy encasement. Their postures suggest a range of suffering – some appear to be struggling against their confinement, while others seem resigned to their fate. The repetition of these figures creates a sense of overwhelming scale and reinforces the notion of collective punishment.
The artist’s use of perspective is somewhat flattened, contributing to the overall feeling of claustrophobia and emphasizing the symbolic nature of the scene rather than striving for realistic representation. The gold leaf border frames the composition, elevating it beyond a mere depiction of suffering and imbuing it with a sense of solemnity and importance.
Subtly, the arrangement of figures suggests a hierarchy of observation and judgment. The pink-robed figure appears to be an external observer, distanced from the immediate suffering. The crimson-clad figure acts as a guide or interpreter, while the blue-cloaked individual seems engaged in a more intimate examination of the condemned. This dynamic hints at themes of moral responsibility, divine justice, and the complexities of witnessing human transgression. The frozen lake itself serves not only as a physical prison but also as a metaphor for emotional coldness and spiritual isolation – a place where betrayal is eternally enshrined.