Satan in the Frozen Lake (1870)
by Jean-Édouard (Yan') Dargent
French, (1824-1899)

Jean-Édouard Dargent, known as Yan’ Dargent and in his later years Yann Dargent, was a French painter and illustrator known for works characterized by detailed and dramatic visual storytelling. His illustrations and paintings have been appreciated for their historical and mythical representations.

In Dante Alighieri’s “Inferno,” (from the "Divine Comedy") the significance of Satan being trapped in the frozen lake, known as Lake Cocytus, lies in the symbolic representation of his punishment. This lake forms the ninth and lowest circle of Hell, where the worst sinners, those who committed treachery against God, are punished. The lake is said to be frozen due to the tears of Lucifer and the flapping of his wings, which keeps it perpetually icy.

Satan himself is depicted as a giant demon, immobilized up to his waist in the ice, signifying his complete impotence and isolation in the depths of Hell. He has three faces and bat-like wings, and his presence in the frozen lake serves as a stark contrast to the fiery perception of Hell that is commonly held.

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging