17507: Alma…, 1638

Platte / Stein: 162 x 116 mm

Inventory Number: 5762

Object Number: 5762 D

Acquisition: Ancient Holdings (Collections J. F. Städel or J. G. Grambs)

Status: Can be presented in the study room of the Graphische Sammlung (special opening hours)

Texts

About the Work

The Bible relates how Adam and Eve, the first humans, violated God's prohibition to eat the fruit of the "tree of knowledge" and how they were subsequently driven out of paradise. Here Rembrandt has dealt precisely with the psychology of this event. With a mischievous expression, Eve attempts to bite into the apple, while Adam anxiously tries to hold her back, which in turn infuriates the devil-dragon in the tree. The (warning?) trumpeting elephant in the background can be understood as a symbol of virtue. The etching is perhaps a replica of Dürer's famous copper engraving "Adam and Eve".

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: 17507: Alma…

Artist

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

Period Produced

17th century

Object Type

art print

Material

handmade paper

Technique

etching

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Signiert und datiert auf der Platte unten Mitte: Rembrandt. f. 1638

Work Catalogues

Bartsch 28 II/II

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Department of Prints and Drawings

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Ancient Holdings (Collections J. F. Städel or J. G. Grambs)

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Associated Persons and Institutions

Albrecht Dürer

Illustrated Passage

Bibel, Altes Testament, Genesis 3,1-6

Iconclass

Primary

71A422 Eve offers the fruit to Adam
71A421 Eve takes the fruit from the serpent (or the tree) in the presence of Adam (who may be trying to stop her)
71A32122 the tree of knowledge of good and evil (whose fruit, usually apples or figs, brings death); the tree may be guarded by the serpent

Secondary