Temptation and Expulsion c. 18th century

Editor: This is Domenico Cunego’s "Temptation and Expulsion," an engraving. It's quite striking, with the stark contrast between light and shadow. What always gets me is the almost theatrical way the figures are posed. How do you interpret the emotional tone of this piece? Curator: It's that tension, isn't it? Cunego captures a pivotal moment--a moment of choice, of consequence. See how the serpent entwines the tree, a visual echo of the moral entanglement? It's more than just a biblical scene; it's a reflection on human nature itself. Does the composition influence how you read the figures' psychology? Editor: I think it does. The way they're almost pushed out of the frame makes it feel claustrophobic. I see this piece very differently now. Curator: Exactly! It's a journey through darkness and light.