God Holds Adam and Eve Responsible 1717

Adriaen van der Werff painted this oil on canvas, titled "God Holds Adam and Eve Responsible", some time in the late 17th or early 18th century. It depicts the moment of reckoning after the Fall, with God’s presence indicated by a burst of light in an otherwise dark scene. Van der Werff was among the most highly regarded Dutch painters of his day, celebrated for his classicizing style. Here, he references the visual language of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture, with the idealized, nude figures of Adam and Eve. But there is something distinctly modern about this version of the story, and the way it reflects on the social structures of its own time. The painting can be interpreted as a commentary on themes of blame, responsibility, and the disruption of an established order. To understand Van der Werff’s work more fully, scholars consult a wide range of sources, from theological texts to art criticism, considering the changing role of art within Dutch society.