Alexander Tovborg | Purgatory | Cassetta

In a new book Den Guddommelige Komedie (in Danish) Dante’s influential work is retold by author Ditlev Tamm based on 92 etchings by Alexander Tovborg. A limited number of the publication is sold together with a print in a custom-designed frame.

In a series of intimate etchings, Tovborg adds to his body of work based on Purgatory, the second and middle book of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, 1320. With their dreamy, fluid and colourful shapes, the small etchings instil hope.  

As Inferno, the first book of Dante’s Divine Comedy, describes a downward journey through Hell, Purgatory is an intermediate place between Hell and Paradise, where lesser sinners are given the opportunity to be purified. The fluid sense of watercolour from spit bite aquatint dominates this series of prints, while some fine details are elaborated with line etching. 

In celebration of the book Den Guddommelige Komedie, 2025, by Ditlev Tamm and Alexander Tovborg, these prints are sold to accompany the publication. Dante Alighieri’s influential medieval text is interpreted anew through the world of Tovborg’s imagery and Tamm’s words.  

For this special occasion Cassetta, a Copenhagen-based framing company, has created a limited number of customised frames, designed by Mentze Ottenstein exclusively for this series of prints. The stand-alone, upright frames accentuate Tovborg’s etchings, transforming them into sculptural objects that match the scale of the book.

Divine Comedy is the title of a major solo exhibition at ARoS opening on 24 May 2025. The exhibition presents a large selection of Alexander Tovborg’s work, including a selection of his prints.