Christ in Limbo c. 1491

Benvenuto di Giovanni’s *Christ in Limbo* (c. 1491) depicts a scene from Christian tradition, showing the moment that Christ, after his resurrection, descended into hell to free those who had died before his crucifixion. The painting features a detailed depiction of a crowd of figures within the prison, with Christ at the center, standing victorious over the defeated demon, represented as a red figure lying prone. The dramatic perspective and the stark contrast between light and dark create a sense of awe and wonder. The use of realistic details, particularly in the rendering of the human figures, is characteristic of early Renaissance painting.