The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 8, 2023

Passion of Jesus Christ: The Descent into Limbo

1400s

Master AG

(German)

Germany, 15th century

Engraving

Sheet: 14.7 x 10.5 cm (5 13/16 x 4 1/8 in.); Mat Size: 36.3 x 24.5 cm (14 5/16 x 9 5/8 in.)

Gift of Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. 1922.477

Catalogue raisonneĢ: Lehrs VI.111.16

State: I?/III

Location

not on view

Description

Christ is shown
preparing to enter the doorway leading to limbo,
the first circle of hell, in order to redeem the Old
Testament saints. The door has symbolically broken
from its hinges, crushing Satan beneath. Christ
grasps Adam, now old and gray, by the wrist,
accompanied by Eve and other Old Testament
righteous ones. The artist has creatively depicted a
variety of demons who glare helplessly at Christ.

Exhibition history

15th Century German and Netherlands Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 11-28, 1935).

15th Century German Engravings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 15-December 11, 1938).

Sacred and Profane in Late Gothic Prints. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 2-August 2, 1987).

Medieval Monsters: Terrors, Aliens, Wonders. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (July 7-October 6, 2019).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1922.477