Adam and Eve Expelled from Paradise 1747 - 1825

Baron Dominique Vivant Denon created this round etching, "Adam and Eve Expelled from Paradise," capturing a pivotal biblical scene with remarkable detail. The composition is immediately striking: a vortex of emotion and movement. Denon uses dense cross-hatching to create deep shadows, particularly around the angel and the fleeing figures of Adam and Eve. Note how the circular format compresses the scene, heightening the sense of urgency and claustrophobia as they are driven from the lush, overgrown Eden. We can see how the angel's commanding posture and outstretched arm contrast sharply with Adam and Eve's hunched, desperate forms. This visual opposition emphasizes the power dynamic and the consequences of their actions. The round format, a 'tondo', is significant. Here, the structure itself acts as a lens through which we view this moment of irreversible change, suggesting themes of fate and the cyclical nature of human experience. Denon’s formal choices powerfully convey the drama and existential weight of the expulsion.