It is believed that Dante’s Beatrice is based on a real woman, Beatrice Portinari, whom he claimed to have met only twice in his life on different occasions, nine years apart. Although she is present in the writer’s two greatest works, La Vita Nuova and Divine Comedy, it is still not entirely clear as to why Dante fell in love with Beatrice given that he knew very little about her.

The impact of their meetings was so great that the poet carried the love for her throughout his life. It is a love story in which he never got to kiss his muse. Up until now. To celebrate the poet’s 700th anniversary of death and also to mark International Kiss Day (July 6), Magnum Italy, a brand dedicated to pleasure and art, found a way to bring Dante and Beatrice together, in a painting made by acclaimed artist Roberto Ferri.

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Developed with the help of LOLA MullenLowe, “The Kiss of Dante and Beatrice” work of art celebrates Dante’s great work and the love he had for Beatrice. We learn from Magnum that “Pleasure Has More Than One Layer,” a philosophy that is somewhat embroidered in the work of art’s visual genetics. Exploring the theme of immortal love where Dante’s passion merges with Beatrice’s purity, the painting’s focus is, of course, on the kiss.

Beyond this, viewers can immerse themselves even further into the story, by gradually deciphering its layers: The embrace between the two forms the symbol of infinity, complementing their eternal love. Framed in a circle, the image makes us think of perfection and eternity, reminding us of Dante’s love for Beatrice.

Commonly identified with the woman that guides Dante through Paradiso, Beatrice is represented naked in the illustration because she “is the embodiment of absolute love,” the symbol of purity. As pagans can’t enter Paradise, the muse takes over as a guide from Virgil. As the audience finds out from the website offering more details on the painting, she represented the incarnation of beatific love, the divine revelation, theology, faith, contemplation, and grace.

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“When I was asked to make ‘The Kiss’ I knew that I was facing a challenge with immense responsibility, even towards my own artistic identity. I focused on the emotions of Dante and Beatrice and the work gradually took shape, materializing in a triumph of sensuality,” says Roberto Ferri.

The Pope’s portrait painter’s artwork combines Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro technique — in which the artist used to isolate the figures and highlight their emotional tension using a dramatic light — with Antonio Canova’s sculpture “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss” and Hayez’s “Kiss” painting, in which one of the most passionate and intense representations of a kiss is depicted.

The painting is exhibited at the Dante Alighieri Society headquarters in Palazzo Firenze in Rome and can be admired until 11 July 2021. Those who can’t see the piece in person can visit it virtually at ilbaciodidante.com. Additionally, Magnum crafted a short film to accompany the painting, expressing the passion of Dante and Beatrice.

Credits:

Client: Magnum Italy

Global Brand Vice President, Magnum: Julien Barraux

Global Brand Director, Magnum: Ben Curtis

Brand Director, Magnum Italy: Eleonora Acierno

Brand Manager, Magnum Italy: Giulia Sanna

Agency: LOLA MullenLowe

Executive Creative Director: Tomás Ostiglia

Managing Director: Tom Elliston

Creative Directors: Kevin Cabuli, Jorge Zacher

Associate Creative Directors: Manu Castillo, Enrique Torguet

Art Director: Yan Graller

Copywriters: Manu Castillo, Enrique Torguet

Digital Copywriter: Bruna Bonzato

Global Account Directors: Flora Bell, Oscar Fernandez-Baca

Account Supervisor: Mar Roig

Head of Production: Felipe Calviño

Producer: Jorge Saade

Production Company: Landia

Executive Producer: Nico Cabuche

Producer: Alberto López

Director: Maxi Blanco

Post Production: Landia

Music partner: Big Sync

PR Agency: Golin Italy

Digital Agency: Xister

Activation Agency: Apload

Media Agency: Mindshare