Uddrivelsen af Paradiset 1903

Joakim Skovgaard created this print, *Uddrivelsen af Paradiset,* depicting the expulsion from paradise. Skovgaard was deeply rooted in national romanticism, a movement which sought to define a unique cultural identity, often by returning to historical or mythological subjects. Here, Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden of Eden. The angel, wielding a sword, casts them out, away from divine grace, and into a world of suffering and toil. Their shame is palpable as they shield themselves, no longer innocent, but burdened by the knowledge of their transgression. Skovgaard doesn’t portray them as defiant, but as vulnerable figures who invite empathy. This scene reflects not just a biblical narrative, but speaks to broader themes of loss, alienation, and the struggle for redemption that resonate across cultures and time. The raw emotion captured in this small print, invites us to contemplate our own relationship to authority, morality, and the consequences of our choices.