Paradiso, Canto XXXI

Title

Paradiso, Canto XXXI

Also known as

The Empyrean; The Celestial Rose

Maker

Wood engraving after Gustave Doré

Nationality, dates

French, 1832–1883

Date

Published 1868

First published

Paris, Hachette, 1868, in the single volume of Doré’s illustrated Purgatorio and Paradiso

Medium

Wood engraving, book illustration

Text

Dante Alighieri, Paradiso, Canto XXXI

Held by

Impressions are held in many public collections. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any museum.

Rights

Public domain. Image source: Wikimedia Commons, “Paradiso Canto 31 (148200393).jpg”, scanned from an 1871 Berlin edition in the Polona digital library.

Dante finished the Divine Comedy shortly before he died in 1321. In its last part, Paradiso, he climbs through the heavens to the Empyrean, the heaven of pure light beyond time and space. There the blessed fill the petals of an immense white rose.

Gustave Doré’s illustrated Inferno appeared in 1861. Purgatorio and Paradiso followed in 1868, together in one volume. Doré drew the pictures, and professional engravers cut them into wood blocks for printing. That is why each plate is called a wood engraving “after” Doré.

Later in the canto, Dante turns to speak to Beatrice, who has guided him through heaven, and finds an old man in her place. It is Saint Bernard. Dante looks up and sees Beatrice already seated in the rose, far above him. He thanks her in a prayer. Far away as she is, she smiles, looks at him once more, and turns back toward God.

“In forma dunque di candida rosa / mi si mostrava la milizia santa”

Paradiso, Canto XXXI, lines 1–2

• Woven blanket, 100% cotton, with colorful fringed edges
• Three sizes: 52 × 37 in (132 × 94 cm), 60 × 50 in (152 × 127 cm), 80 × 60 in (203 × 152 cm)
• Size tolerance ±2.5 in (about 6 cm)
• Hang it as a wall tapestry (hanging hardware not included), or use it on a sofa or bed
• Woven threads soften fine linework; colors and texture differ slightly from the screen image
• Catalogue N° 007 · The Noha Studio

• Machine wash cold, max 30°C / 86°F
• Gentle cycle, mild detergent
• Non-chlorine bleach only if needed
• Tumble dry low

Designed by The Noha Studio. Made to order by our production partner in the USA.

Made to order, then shipped from the USA with tracking. Your estimated delivery date is shown at checkout on Etsy.

Arrived damaged or faulty? Message us on Etsy with a photo and we’ll replace it or refund you.

30-day returns (no exchanges): message us on Etsy first. Buyers in the EU and the UK also keep their 14-day right of withdrawal and their legal guarantee.

EU orders: since July 1, 2026, the EU charges a flat €3 customs duty per item type on low-value parcels; it may be added at checkout or collected on delivery.

Prices are in USD. Checkout is on Etsy.

Questions before you order? Write to us at team@thenoha.com.

Care & Shipping · Returns & refunds