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

Northern European

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