Descent into Limbo (Beccafumi)

Damaged by a fire in 1655, the painting was seen by Giorgio Vasari, who praised it for the uniqueness of its figures, prefiguring Mannerism.

It shows Christ descending to the souls in Limbo, including Adam in the centre, a nude Eve to the right and between them King David holding a lyre.

In the far background John the Baptist guides the souls, whilst at the bottom is a river divinity.

To the left is a figure holding a cross, possibly Dismas the good thief, for whom a preparatory head study is in the Morgan Library and Museum.

[1] A preparatory drawing and a sketch for the whole work are both now in the Uffizi, whilst another is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.