Descent into Hell

Iconography:  Resurrection – The Descent into Hell

Date: XVII century. The late 17th – early 18th centuries.

Iconographic school/art center:  North of Russia.

Origin: From a chapel in the village of Kilpoga (Alekseevskaya?), Pudozhsky district, the Republic of Karelia.

Material: Wood, tempera

Dimensions:  height 85 cm, width 68,5 cm

In the center is the figure of Jesus Christ holding a scroll trampling the broken gates of hell. In the mandorla and above it are the choirs of angels. On either side of Christ are Adam and Eva, the Old Testament kings and prophets including king David and Solomon, John the Baptist, the prophets Daniel and Moses, the foremothers, Abel and Zacharia.

Inside the fracture of hell are angels piercing devils with lances.

Inv. № И-388. © Republic of Karelia Museum of Fine Arts

  • General view
  • A fragment
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  • A fragment