Descent into Limbo c. 1465

Andrea Mantegna created this engraving, Descent into Limbo, to show Christ's journey to free deserving souls from hell. Made in Italy during the Renaissance, this print provides insight into the religious, political, and social structures of its time. We can see cultural and historical context represented by Mantegna's visual language and imagery. For example, the broken archway and demons might evoke a sense of chaos, reflecting the tumultuous political landscape of Renaissance Italy, with its city-states vying for power. Religious beliefs also heavily influenced art, making this scene of Christ's descent a common theme for artists. The art institutions of the Renaissance were heavily influenced by wealthy patrons. Mantegna worked for the Gonzaga court in Mantua, which gave him certain social freedoms. Art historians use period texts, religious scholarship, and studies of artistic patronage to understand the social conditions that shaped this artwork. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context, and is made richer by historical analysis.