Portrait of Dante Alighieri, (c1890). Italian writer and poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) whose long narrative poem "The Divine Comedy" written in Italian c1308-1321, tracing his imaginary journey from Hell, through Purgatory and finally to Heaven and a beatific vision of God, has been published numerous times. Frontispiece to "The Vision of Hell" (Inferno), the first part of "The Divine Comedy" (La divina commedia) by Dante Alighieri. This edition, published late 19th century, is illustrated by Gustave Dore. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, c1890]