Illustration til Johannes Ewalds "Adam og Eva" I 1780

Curator: This is J.F. Clemens's engraving from 1780, "Illustration til Johannes Ewalds 'Adam og Eva' I," currently held at the SMK in Copenhagen. The work illustrates the biblical story in a decidedly Baroque fashion. Editor: It strikes me as surprisingly sensual, given the subject. There's a languidness to Adam and Eve’s poses that’s rather… fleshy. And an angel overhead… Curator: The choice of engraving as a medium is interesting. Consider its function: prints like this facilitated the dissemination of Enlightenment ideals to a wider public. These inexpensive artworks were easily produced. What this says about views of sexuality and religion at the time. Editor: Absolutely. The intricate lines of the engraving definitely lend a dramatic texture to the bodies. Clemens masterfully plays with light and shadow. Look how the light caresses Eve's raised arm. The tonal contrasts across the figures is fascinating. Curator: This wasn't just a personal artistic expression. Clemens worked within a system—the patronage, the market for prints, the collaboration with writers like Ewald. The work then becomes not just about aesthetics, but about labour and its conditions. And who would be buying this and displaying it in their homes? Editor: It really puts a focus on the story and moment. Semiotically, one can see the angel represents divinity; pointing its command or blessing over the mortal Adam and Eve who symbolize both purity and temptation. It's a fascinating dance between the sacred and profane. Curator: So much of how we interpret those symbols is dependent on the social context too. In an era defined by religious and social constraints, this illustration can be seen as subtly challenging norms, presenting the human form, and the primal relationship of Adam and Eve, in a less restrictive light. Editor: It offers a compelling visual interpretation. It reminds us that every artwork, however small, encapsulates profound social tensions and material conditions. Curator: Yes, seeing this scene rendered in a relatively inexpensive format broadens its appeal to reach audiences outside of the aristocratic elite who might have, centuries prior, consumed a very differently presented take on the origin narrative in much higher-priced formats.