Scenes from the Passion of Christ: The Descent into Limbo [right panel] c. 1380s

This panel, "Scenes from the Passion of Christ: The Descent into Limbo," is part of a larger altarpiece created by Andrea di Vanni in the 1380s. It depicts the moment when Christ, resurrected from the dead, descends into Limbo to free the righteous souls trapped there. The scene unfolds before a rocky cave where numerous figures, representing these souls, await their savior. The figures are meticulously detailed, clothed in vibrant hues of blue and red, with prominent facial features. Above, Christ, with a halo, extends his hand toward the souls as he emerges from the cave, while God the Father, enthroned in heaven, looks on. This panel, rich in symbolism and emotional intensity, exemplifies the narrative power of Sienese painting during the Late Middle Ages, and specifically the work of Andrea di Vanni, a significant artist of his time.