Expulsion from Paradise 1510 - 1527

Marcantonio Raimondi created this engraving, "Expulsion from Paradise," in the 16th century, a time when the church held immense power over the lives and moral codes of the people. Stripped bare, both physically and spiritually, Adam and Eve are forced to leave Eden. The narrative traditionally centers on disobedience and shame, but here, we might also consider the impact of divine authority on individual agency. What does it mean to be exiled not just from a place, but from a state of innocence and freedom? Raimondi’s work invites us to reflect on the dynamics of power, the burden of knowledge, and the consequences of challenging established norms. It asks us to consider the emotional weight of such a loss and the implications for human identity and experience.