Expulsion from Paradise 1665

Gerard de Lairesse created this engraving of the Expulsion from Paradise, illustrating a pivotal moment laden with symbolism. Observe Adam and Eve, cast out from the garden, and consider the angel brandishing a fiery sword—a motif that recurs throughout art history, representing divine justice and the end of innocence. The shame and grief etched on Adam's face echo the emotional weight of humanity's fall from grace. This resonates with similar expressions of anguish found in ancient Greek tragedies, reflecting a shared human understanding of loss and consequence. The serpent, a symbol of temptation and deceit, has slithered through art and culture, from ancient Egyptian myths to modern psychology. Carl Jung might argue that the serpent embodies the shadow self, those repressed aspects of our psyche that surface in unexpected ways. This primal fear and fascination continue to engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Notice how the symbol of the angel has morphed over time. What once may have represented divine messengers in antiquity, is now reimagined here as an enforcer. The motifs in this engraving remind us of our continuous struggle with memory, emotion, and the enduring power of symbols.