Adam and Eve

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Paradise, 18th c. Wood. Germany.

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Paradise, 18th c. Wood. Germany.

Name/Title

Adam and Eve

Entry/Object ID

2006.13.1

Description

German carved wood panel depicting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Biblical scenes were used in wood paneling for churches to help audiences conceptualize the narratives. This panel tells the story of Adam and Eve, one of the most widely replicated stories from the book of Genesis. The panel depicts the scene from Genesis 3:2-24, where Eve is deceived by the serpent and eats from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden and encourages Adam to as well. God had instructed them not to eat from the tree and because of this transgression, Eve was held responsible. The panel conveys Eve’s corruption visually. For example, she is mostly nude and only partially covered by a leaf, which adds to the temptatious nature of her. She also is the cause of Adam’s transgression by handing him the apple, which also directly implicates Eve in the condemnation of mankind. Although the panel depicts a religious scene, it puts into perspective the life of Eve and how she has impacted women.

Artwork Details

Medium

Wood

Made/Created

Time Period

18th Century

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Panel dimensions

Height

16-3/4 in

Width

11-3/4 in

Dimension Description

Frame

Height

17 in

Width

12-1/4 in

Depth

2 in

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Gift of Dr. Joseph and Ruth Sataloff