glencairnmuseum:According to Christian tradition, today is Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sund
glencairnmuseum:According to Christian tradition, today is Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. This Byzantine steatite plaque from the 14th century depicts what is sometimes called the Harrowing of Hell. It shows Jesus Christ descending into Limbo—after the Crucifixion, but before the Resurrection—in order to open the gates of Heaven for the righteous. Christ is shown in a mandorla (full-body halo), holding a cross-shaped staff. He tramples the gates of Hell, which fall to the ground in the shape of a cross. He takes Adam by the hand; Eve is shown beside him. The figures with crowns may represent the kings David and Solomon. -- source link
#medieval#art#relief#plague#byzantine#14th century