The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise c. 1791 - 1803

Benjamin West captured the poignant moment of "The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise" in this oil painting. Notice the angel, a stern figure of divine authority, casting Adam and Eve out, while a serpent lurks below. The serpent, a symbol of temptation, finds echoes in ancient Near Eastern art, often representing chaos and the unknown. But observe Adam's gesture – his hand covering his face. It's a universal expression of shame and grief, a motif that reappears across cultures and epochs. Think of similar poses in classical Greek tragedies, where characters lament their fate. This gesture speaks to a deep, subconscious recognition of loss and regret. The emotional power of this scene lies in its portrayal of human fallibility, a theme that continues to resonate, shaping our understanding of morality and the human condition. This expulsion is not just a biblical event, it is a recurring drama, a continuous cycle in human history.