Aeneas and the Sibyl in the Underworld

Jan Bruegal the Elder (1525-1625) was a Dutch painter and a part of the renaissance movement.  His works were primarily landscapes with scenes from scripture.  The Aeneas and the Sibyl in the Underworld depicts a story from Virgil’s The Aeneid, where Aeneas wants to speak to his deceased father in hell (Bell 93).  For the journey, he takes along  a Sibyl to persuade Charon to carry him over the river Styx.  It appeals because it shows the Middle Ages’ concept of “Hell” which is always fascinating to the religious and the agnostic.  In the painting, there are demons, devils, nude bodies of damned souls, and a clothed group representing condemned souls (Bell 93).   Also, Virgil’s description of Aeneas’ journey leads to inspire Dante’s Inferno.  Electronic Arts made a video game/movie adaptation of Dante's Inferno (see video insert).