The Expulsion from Eden 1604
jan_saenredam
minneapolisinstituteofart
print, engraving
pencil drawn
light pencil work
pencil sketch
personal sketchbook
pencil drawing
ink drawing experimentation
pen-ink sketch
pencil work
sketchbook art
engraving
pencil art
"The Expulsion from Eden" is a 1604 engraving by the Dutch artist Jan Saenredam, known for his architectural engravings and prints, a testament to the breadth of his artistic talent. The print depicts the biblical story of Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden after their sin, with an angel driving them out. The scene is rich in detail, with Adam and Eve in the foreground, their bodies contorted with grief and fear, while a winged angel above them points to the path they must follow. The scene is framed by lush foliage, providing a visual contrast between the paradise lost and the hardship that awaits. The print is a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the pain of separation from paradise, a timeless story resonating with viewers across centuries.
Comments
A fervent Catholic in a chiefly Protestant culture, the Utrecht artist Abraham Bloemaert spread his faith by having his religious drawings engraved as prints. The banishing angel seems to fracture this print into a mass of diagonals, in a warning against sin. Eve recoils in her newfound nakedness while Adam frames Eve with outstretched arms. This creates a visual loop that illustrates Genesis 3:12-13: Adam blames God for sending him woman (Eve), and she blames the serpent for beguiling her.
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