Expulsion from Paradise 1543

Sebald Beham created this engraving, "Expulsion from Paradise," in 1543, during the Protestant Reformation in Germany. The image depicts the moment when Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden of Eden, an allegory for the fall of man and the consequences of disobedience. The angel looms over them, driving them out with a sword, while a small cherubic figure looks up in distress from the bottom corner. Beham was one of the "Little Masters," a group of German printmakers known for their small-scale, intricate engravings. During this time, artists began to question religious authority. Printmaking allowed for the mass production and distribution of images, making it a powerful tool for disseminating new ideas and critiques of existing institutions, such as the Catholic Church. Beham's work reflects the spirit of questioning that defined this pivotal era in European history. By studying the cultural context of Reformation-era Germany, we can better understand the rich meanings embedded in this image.