The Evangelary of Aribert: Detail of the cover, picturing the Harrowing of Hell
Milan, 1018-26
Gold, enamels, gemstones
Museum of the Cathedral, Milan
Appropriately, this panel of the book cover is just below the central crucifix. Here Christ has taken his cross to the underworld to defeat Satan, who lies prostrate in the lower right. In The Gospel of Nicodemus Christ takes Adam by the hand and has the Archangel Michael lead him and the other faithful "into the glory and beauty of paradise." Michael is pictured in the upper left holding Satan down with a spear or staff, a detail also included in the York Mystery Cycle's "Harrowing" play.1
At Adam's left Eve raises her hand to Christ.
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Read more about images of the Harrowing of Hell.
Photographed at the museum by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.