The Harrowing of Hell, plate 15 of 16 from the Engraved Passion (Copperplate Passion)
Artist
Albrecht Dürer
(German, 1471–1528)
Date1512
MediumEngraving
Dimensions4 3/4 x 3 1/8 inches (12.1 x 8 cm)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift of Harold L. Bache, Class of 1916, and Alice K. Bache
Terms
- Engraving
- Adam
- Arches
- Banners
- Crosses
- Devils
- Eve
- Female nudes
- Fig leaves
- Hell
- Hinges
- Jesus Christ
- Limbo
- Male nudes
- New Testament
- Weapons
Object number62.0440
Label CopyThe Harrowing of Hell in Roman Catholic tradition refers to the period between Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection when Christ descended to the underworld and saved all of the righteous who had died before him.In this engraving, Christ is clothed while Adam and Eve modestly cover their groins with a fig leaf and the forbidden fruit, respectively.
(“Undressed: The Nude in Context, 1500-1750,” text by Andrew C. Weislogel and presented at the Johnson Museum February 9-June 16, 2019)
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