Early Christian Art:
The depiction above is of "The Resurrection and the Preaching of St. Baptist in the Hades" (8th picture down) Note how Christ grips the hands of those being resurrected out of hades.
The ordinance of 'Baptism for the Dead' is an early Christian teaching and it shows up not only in art work but also several of the early Church Fathers mention how John the Baptist went to Hades to preach the gospel before the Savior descended there to liberate the souls.
Historical Christian art depict the different themes associated with this teaching, such as the Old Testament patriarchs, prophets and saints are there to greet the glorious King upon his descent into Hades. Common reappearing elements are Christ standing on the broken down doors to hell, many times in the shape of a cross and with Satan under the doors, as he liberates the faithful, depicted by the hand or wrist grips as he leads them out of captivity. The hand and wrist grips are a common element not only in the harrowing of hell but also in other gospel themes, such as the creation of Adam and Eve as well as in the ascension motifs.
