Descent into Limbo

c. 1475

Workshop of Andrea Mantegna

Associated Names
Gian Marco Cavalli

Engraver, Mantuan, before 1454 - in or after 1508

Andrea Mantegna

Related Artist, Paduan, c. 1431 - 1506

This is a drawing of an archway with various figures. The drawing depicts a composition, featuring a large archway carved into a rocky cliff facade. In the foreground, a central robed figure steps over a fallen door or platform. Surrounding this figure are other nude figures in various poses. Above the arch, two fantastical, winged creatures play trumpets. On the right, another creature with a serpent-like tail and leafy appendages observes the scene from atop the rocky surface. The composition showcases a play of light and shadow with intricate line work, detail, texture, and expression.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper (by Gian Marco Cavalli?)

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 42.2 x 34.3 cm (16 5/8 x 13 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.5767

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hind 'Engravings', Vol. 5, p.18, no. 9

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1966

  • Masters of Etching and Engraving from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, Lakeview Center for the Arts and Sciences, Peoria, IL, 1966, no. 47, repro.

1968

  • Good and Bad Angels, University of Notre Dame Art Gallery, IN, 1968, no catalogue.

1971

  • Albrecht Dürer: The Early Graphic Works, Princeton University Art Museum, NJ, 1971, no. 33.

1999

  • Religion and Politics: The Renaissance Print in Social Context, Marsh Art Gallery, Richmond, 1999, no. 5.

Bibliography

1938

  • Hind, Arthur M. Early Italian Engraving; a critical catalogue with complete reproductions of all the prints described. 7 vols. London: Bernard Quaritch Ltd., 1938-1948.

1973

  • Levenson et al. 1973, no.80 (b) (attributed to Zoan Andrea).

1994

  • Landau, David and Peter Parshall. The Renaissance Print, 1470-1550 New Haven and London, 1994: no. 30, fig. 100.

1999

  • Johnson, Charles. Religion & Politics: The Renaissance Print in Social Context. Exh. cat. Marsh Art Gallery, University of Richmond, 1999: no. 5, illus., p.61.

2001

  • Fletcher, Shelley. "A Closer Look at Mantegna's Prints." Print Quarterly 18/1 (2001): 3-41, fig. 33.

2010

  • Christiansen, Keith.The Genius of Mantegna.New York, 2010: fig. 54.

Watermarks

Flower with small vertical line from bottom petal. Cf. Br. 6327.

Wikidata ID

Q65027033

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