Adam and Eve and the Expulsion from Paradise 1564

Cornelis Cort made this engraving, "Adam and Eve and the Expulsion from Paradise," sometime in the 16th century. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking process, where the design is cut into a metal plate, usually copper, using a tool called a burin. Ink is then applied to the plate and wiped off the surface, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate to transfer the image. Cort’s skill is evident in the detailed rendering of the figures and landscape, as well as the tonal variations achieved through the density and direction of the engraved lines. The medium lends itself to sharp detail and strong contrasts, which Cort uses to great effect. The act of engraving demands patience and precision, reflecting a disciplined approach to art-making. Consider how the print was originally part of a reproductive industry, making images available to a wide public. Cort’s engraving speaks to both artistic skill and the broader social function of disseminating visual information, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.