He falls to the floor of hell as if dead. Ignoring this warning, the artist has developed this theme in his painting. We are shown the two lovers in the sky framed by an arch. In the spandrels of the arch are two further scenes from familiar parables that explain the artist’s thoughts. On Francesca’s side is the story of the woman taken in adultery, and, on Paolo’s side, the return of the prodigal son. Both parables conclude with pity and forgiveness; the artist’s intentions are clear. We should condemn the sin but forgive the sinner. There is a quote from the poem along the top edge that sounds a note of warning. Roughly translated it reads 'love it was that brought us here' (to hell). The picture is painted on a light-coloured ground in very thin oily paint, and in places the underdrawing is clearly visible. It's precision and hardness of outline betrays the Germanic influence of the Nazarenes. The painting also shares their piety and zeal.