Christ in Limbo
1450
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1450
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Christ in Limbo is a 1450 ink by Ludwig of Ulm, held at National Gallery of Art.
This medieval hand-colored woodcut, titled "Christ in Limbo," presents a vivid scene. At the right, a bearded Christ, clad in a red robe, grasps a gold cross and extends his hand to a group of figures on the left. The individuals, some of whom are nude, appear to be emerging from a fiery pit, their faces contorted in anguish. The scene is set against a simple backdrop, with a green floor and a white wall. The artist's use of bold lines and bright colors adds to the dramatic effect of the image. For more on this technique, look up "woodcut".
