Christ Descends into Limbo

This painting formed originally the left panel of a triptych, the central panel of it was the Lamentation of Christ, now in the Hermitage. Sebastiano used for this composition a drawing by Michelangelo.

Sebastiano came to Rome in 1511 and soon became friends with Michelangelo, who took him under his wing. Michelangelo admired Sebastiano’s coloration and made drafts for the paintings of his friend, who could not compete with the master with regard to compositional and heroic figural concepts.