Rediscovery of a historic painting
Subscribers Paolo and Francesca have rediscovered the house of Ary Scheffer on 12/10/26. This discovery has brought renewed attention to the artist’s legacy and the historical significance of his work.Acquisition by a Paris museum
The acquisition of the house was made by the Paris, Musée de la Vie Romantique. This museum specializes in preserving artifacts and artworks from the Romantic period, making it a fitting home for Scheffer’s residence.Historical painting from 1835
In 1835, Ary Scheffer exhibited at the Salon a painting from the fifth canto of Dante's Inferno: Dante and Virgil Meeting the Shadow of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo in Hell, property of Ferdinand, Duke of Orléans. This painting is a significant representation of Romantic art and literature.Famous title and alternate name
The title is that of the Salon's booklet, but the painting is sometimes called, more simply, Paolo and Francesca. This alternate name reflects the central figures in Dante's poem and has made the work more widely recognized.Current location and enhancements
Today, the painting (adorned with a superb carved frame attributed to Félicie de Fauveau and added by Anatole Demidoff, to whom it belonged) is displayed at the Wallace Collection in London. The frame and its history add to the painting’s artistic and historical value.
