Workshop of Andrea Mantegna
Italian, 1431-1506
Descent into Limbo
INV-4310
Workshop of Andrea Mantegna
Italian, 1431-15061475/80
Descent into Limbo
Workshop of Andrea Mantegna Italian, 1431-1506 →engravingprint
Date
1475/80
Medium
Engraving in black ink on cream laid paper
Dimensions
42.2 × 33.4 cm (16 5/8 × 13 3/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.
In this deeply engraved, drawinglike print, Christ strides over the demolished gates of hell, carrying a victory standard. On the right, Adam and Eve are seen with their righteous son Abel, while Cain has been left in hell for murdering his brother. The demons that represent the torments of hell herald Christ’s arrival. These devils, with their scales and reptilian tails, resemble dragons, and have elflike ears. They seem to be flying, one of them distractedly doing acrobatic tricks instead of blowing his horn.
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