alb3612825

CIRCLE OF ANDREA MANTEGNA. The Descent into Limbo

The Descent into Limbo. Artist: Circle of Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31-1506 Mantua). Dimensions: 10 9/16 x 7 7/8 in. (26.9 x 20 cm). Date: mid-15th century.
In this innovative composition, Christ is portrayed from behind as he embarks upon his descent into Limbo, the zone before the entrance to Hell, where he traveled after his death and before his Resurrection. The story is not found in the New Testament but was part of early Church teachings and by the fifteenth century was an accepted Christian belief. This work is closely related to a group of drawings, engravings, and paintings of a similar composition attributed to Andrea Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, and their circle. This sheet is likely a copy after a lost drawing by one of these masters. Mantegna's depictions of this subject inspired versions by Bellini, exemplifying the exchanges between the artists.

Share
Pinterest
Twitter
Facebook
Copy link
Email

Add to another lightbox

Do you already have an account? Sign in

You do not have an account? Register

Buy this image. Select the use:

Author:

CIRCLE OF ANDREA MANTEGNA (1430/31-1506)

Title:

The Descent into Limbo

Caption:

The Descent into Limbo. Artist: Circle of Andrea Mantegna (Italian, Isola di Carturo 1430/31-1506 Mantua). Dimensions: 10 9/16 x 7 7/8 in. (26.9 x 20 cm). Date: mid-15th century. In this innovative composition, Christ is portrayed from behind as he embarks upon his descent into Limbo, the zone before the entrance to Hell, where he traveled after his death and before his Resurrection. The story is not found in the New Testament but was part of early Church teachings and by the fifteenth century was an accepted Christian belief. This work is closely related to a group of drawings, engravings, and paintings of a similar composition attributed to Andrea Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, and their circle. This sheet is likely a copy after a lost drawing by one of these masters. Mantegna's depictions of this subject inspired versions by Bellini, exemplifying the exchanges between the artists.

Technique/material:

Pen and brown ink, brown wash

Museum:

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

Credit:

Album

Releases:

? Model Release: No - ? Property Release: No
Rights questions?

Image size:

3076 x 4094 px | 36.0 MB

Print size:

26.0 x 34.7 cm | 10.3 x 13.6 in (300 dpi)

Keywords:

CIRCLE OF ANDREA MANTEGNA • DRAWINGS • EUROPE • INK • ITALY • METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK, USA • PEN AND BROWN INK, BROWN WASH • PEN • ROBERT LEHMAN COLLECTION