This hagiography of Markus Bathas, who was a great Greek painter of the 16th century, depicts the descent of Christ to Hades. It recalls Christ's victory over death and man's hope in the eternity offered by the Son of God. In the center of the image, we see Christ stepping on the gates of Hades. At the same time under the gates we see Hades himself chained and defeated, breathing fire from his mouth. To the right of the painting we see Adam lifted by Christ from his tomb. Next to Adam, a woman in a red dress depicts Eve. Adam and Eve symbolize here the human race that accepts the salvation of Christ. To the left of the painting we see John the Baptist pointing to the Savior of the world. Next to John, we see Solomon, David and other Old Testament prophets. This reminds us that Christ is the Messiah of whom the prophecies speak. This masterpiece of the Cretan painter depicts that man's hope resides in the love of Christ.
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