The Resurrection of Christ and the Harrowing of Hell
Medium
Tempera on wood
Dimensions
12 1/4 x 9 7/8 in. (31.1 x 25.1 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Zoltan Ovary, in memory of Baby and Umberto Natali, 1982
Accession Number
1982.378
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Resurrection of Christ and the Harrow of Hell*, a captivating tempera on wood panel by an anonymous Russian painter, likely from the medieval or early modern Orthodox tradition. This intimate work, measuring just 12¼ x 9⅞ inches, depicts the triumphant moment of Christ's Resurrection intertwined with the Harrowing of Hell—a dramatic scene where Christ descends into the underworld to shatter its gates, free the righteous souls like Adam and Eve, and conquer death. Surrounded by saints and anguished figures of the damned, the composition pulses with spiritual intensity, embodying cor...
About the Artist
Russian Painter
The Russian Painter, an anonymous master active possibly in the 16th century, embodies the profound spiritual tradition of Russian iconography. Little is known about their early life, training, or personal background, as is common for many unattributed works from this era, when artists often labored in workshops without individual recognition. Working in the Russian school tradition, this painter ...