God’s Curse c. 1896 - 1902

James Tissot paints the moment of reckoning in the Garden of Eden. With his work, we’re invited to consider not just a biblical narrative, but also how this story resonates across centuries of social and cultural interpretation. The painting depicts Adam and Eve, no longer in innocent nakedness, but clothed in shame, alongside a monumental serpent, a symbol of temptation and perhaps, a patriarchal scapegoat. Tissot, working in a time of immense social upheaval and shifting religious views, visualizes a pivotal moment of self-awareness and moral reckoning. What does it mean to illustrate humanity’s fall from grace? Tissot seems to suggest the recognition of oneself as naked or vulnerable comes with a heavy price. The painting doesn't merely retell a familiar story. It reflects on the identities, the emotional landscapes, and the social stigmas tied to narratives of origin, sin, and redemption. Through the intimate portrayal of Adam and Eve's immediate emotional response, Tissot’s work still compels us to consider the emotional and personal burdens carried within cultural narratives.