Botticelli and Workshop Further Episodes in the Tale of Nastagio degli Onesti Previous | Home | Next

Date: 1482/83 83 X 138 cm Madrid, Museo del Prado

The second painting in this series titled Further Episodes of the Tale of Nastagio degli Onesti is just as horrific looking as the first. The woman is now dead by the hands of the horseman. He has carved out the woman’s heart and thrown it to the dogs. Nastagio has preserved the woman’s modesty by draping leaves over her body. This is when Nastagio discovers the reason for this chase. Anastagio, the cruel horseman, was condemned to carry out this scene every Friday at noon. He went on to explain that the woman was his true love but didn’t return that love and she was very cruel towards him. Because he was so desperate, he gave up on love and committed suicide. Shortly after, the woman who had rejected him also died. Because suicide was a cardinal sin, one that couldn’t be forgiven, Anastagio was condemned to play out this scene every week and hunt the woman down and kill her. She too was punished for her heartless treatment of love by having to be part of this weekly happening.

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