Christus in het voorgeborchte 1585 - 1586

"Christus in het voorgeborchte" (Christ in Limbo), a 1585-1586 engraving by Jan (II) Collaert, depicts a scene from Christian theology. Christ, resurrected and radiating light, steps out of the grave towards Adam and Eve, representing humanity's liberation from the underworld. The image is filled with figures, both human and demonic, illustrating the complexities of heaven and hell. Collaert's masterful use of shadow and light creates a dramatic visual narrative, emphasizing the contrast between the radiant Christ and the shadowy underworld. The artwork, now held at the Rijksmuseum, captures the fervent religious beliefs of the 16th century.