Christ in Limbo

Dimensions:
Painted surface: 42.1 x 46.6 cm (16 9/16 x 18 3/8 in.)
Overall size: 43 x 48.7 cm (16 15/16 x 19 3/16 in.)
Framed (with three other paintings): 59.7 x 283.2 x 5.4 cm (23 1/2 x 111 1/2 x 2 1/8 in.)

This painting illustrates the story of Christ's descent into Limbo. From here he was said to rescue the pious figures of the Old Testament. On the left, he holds a bearded figure by the hand; typically in Limbo scenes this man represents Adam and, symbolically, the whole of humanity. The woman next to Adam is Eve. Christ stands on the gates of Hell, which he has torn down, and squashes a devil under them.

(Text: Emily Wilkinson)