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Jan Sadeler, I

Christ in Limbo, from Passion of Christ

1575/1600
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
16.2 × 11.3 cm (6.4 × 4.4 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

In this work the oval format has been utilized to show Christ emerging triumphantly from the jaws of Hell, rendered in a style akin to that of Hieronymus Bosch—the eyes of the gaping beast curl out from two sinuous monsters biting their own tails. Bannered staff in hand, Christ reaches toward a few of the worthy souls sequestered in Limbo until his Resurrection while avoiding the hovering demons above and lurking below.

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