The Mysteries of the Passion: The Descent into Limbo

1631

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

The Mysteries of the Passion: The Descent into Limbo is a 1631 by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1631 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a group of people climbing out of a dark, rocky pit while a robed figure stands above them holding a staff. The sky glows with light, and trees frame the scene like a stage. Some figures look up, others reach out as if just freed. The artist used deep shadows to make the pit feel heavy and the light feel dramatic. This was common in Baroque art, which often used strong contrasts to create emotion. Look up Baroque to see more examples of this bold, dramatic style.