Pieter Huys About 1519-1584
The Descent Into Limbo
Details
Artist
Pieter Huys About 1519-1584
Title
The Descent Into Limbo
Date
1547-1577
Medium
Oil on Panel
Dimensions
42.5 NC x 53.4 cm
Reference
CVCSC:0398.N
Collection
Status
On Display
In the Catholic faith, limbo was a state of existence between heaven and hell. Although not part of official Catholic teaching today, when this was painted limbo was believed to be reserved for good people who had died before before the coming of Christ or those who had not been Baptised. This imaginative scene is characteristic of Huys, who was strongly influenced by the work of Hieronymus Bosch (about 1450 – 1516).
Pieter Huys The Descent Into Limbo 1547-1577 © Compton Verney