Christ in Limbo

1512

Albrecht Dürer

Associated Names
Albrecht Dürer

Artist, German, 1471 - 1528

The image shows three figures in a tightly framed scene. The central figure is bending forward, turning slightly to the right, with both arms extended. This individual has long, flowing hair and a beard, and is clothed in a flowing robe. To the left, two others stand closely together; the first is an older man with a full beard and long hair, his figure mostly unclothed, and next to him is a younger person with wavy hair pulled back. Both gaze in the same direction. The older man has one arm raised slightly and the other at his side. They are positioned under a stone arch, above which sits a large, reptilian creature holding a spear and a banner. Sunlight or radiant energy appears to burst from the background, casting light on the scene. The surrounding environment includes stonework, wooden elements, and depictions of various exaggerated or monstrous faces. The top of the arch displays the numbers "1512."

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to platemark): 11.6 × 7.5 cm (4 9/16 × 2 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3511

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Meder, no. 16

  • Series Title

    The Engraved Passion

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Brentano-Birckenstock Collection, Vienna and Frankfurt (Lugt 345); Arthur Friederich Theodor Bohnenberger [1826-1893], Stuttgart (Lugt 68); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1760b and Lugt 1932d), 1928; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1929

  • Engravings by Albrecht Durer from the collection of Lessing J. Rosenwald of Philadelphia, Baltimore Museum of Art, 1929, no. 2.

Bibliography

1932

  • Meder, Joseph. Dürer-Katalog; ein Handbuch über Albrecht Dürers Stiche, Radierungen, Holzschnitte, deren Zustände, Ausgaben und Wasserzeichen. Vienna: Verlag Gilhofer und Ranschburg, 1932. Reprint. New York: Da Capo Press, 1971.

2001

  • Schoch, Rainer, Mattihas Mende, and Anna Scherbaum. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk. Munich, 2001: vol. 1: no. 58.

Inscriptions

in plate, upper center: 1512; in plate, bottom right, on stone: AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 8 [upside down]; verso, bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: NR [?] 25146; verso, bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: B.16

Markings

none

Watermarks

none visible

Wikidata ID

Q18338464

You may be interested in

Loading Results