Beatrice

The first plate focuses on Beatrice’s beauty and she will be the one to guide Dante through a Paradise surrounded by celestial visions. This choice of portrayal for Beatrice is also due to the lack of pieces that attempt to depict her, whereas Dante’s portrait is everywhere. Beatrice is often seen from afar, rarely up close. It is also hard to imagine an atmosphere in black and white when colour is actually essential and should be conveying emotions. Shades and contrasts created by informal over layering are necessary. Lights emerging from the sky – an ancient one, with distant stars and planets – are needed to create depth. The wind moves vapours and geometrical shapes: it is a geometrical mistral, indeed. Beatrice is observing. Her face, in profile, is of an ancient colour, different from the background, and seems to come from an old XIV-century scroll. (Alessandra Durante)