Four studies of frightened figures, possibly Paolo and Francesca

The two figures portrayed in these studies appear to be male and female, clutching each other in horror. They could be intended for a depiction of the 'Last Judgement' but Andrew Wilton has suggested, more specifically, that they represent Paolo and Francesca, historical figures whose adulterous romance gained legendary status and was immortalised by Dante in his Divine Commedia (Inferno, V, 73-142): Francesca, daughter of Guido Vecchio da Polenta, married to Giancetto, the deformed eldest son of Malatesta da Verrucchio, Lord of Rimini for political reasons, was surprised with his younger brother Paolo, whereupon Gianncetto killed the two of them. Dante portrays them in the Second Circle of Hell, that devoted to the souls of carnal sinners, but clearly sympathetic with their fate.