Digital Collection
Adam and Eve, Max Beckmann
Max Beckmann
Adam and Eve
DE
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Max Beckmann

Adam and Eve, 1936 (Guss 1979)

Dimensions
84.5 x 33.3 cm
diameter
36.8 cm
Physical Description
Bronze
Inventory Number
DBP003
Acquisition
Deutsche Bank Collection at the Städel Museum
Status
On display, 1st upper level, Modern Art, room 9

Texts

About the Work

From the mid-1930s, Beckmann worked intensely with sculptures and created eight figures in clay, which were then later cast in bronze. With “Adam and Eve”, Beckmann addresses one of his central motifs: the conflict between the sexes. Adam, bearing a resemblance to the artist, holds a tiny Eve in his hand. The serpent is an indicator of the imminent disaster – the expulsion from Paradise. Beckmann intentionally designed a rather ungainly Adam. As the National Socialists massively opposed the artist, he created a deliberate antithesis to their ideal body image.

Audio

  • Basic information
    01:00
  • Focus on cultural history
    01:33
  • Focus on religion
    01:37

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Adam and Eve
Sculptor (male)
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Physical Description
Bronze
Material
Technique

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Departement
Collection
Creditline
Sammlung Deutsche Bank im Städel Museum, Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
Deutsche Bank Collection at the Städel Museum

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif
Persons Shown
Illustrated Passage
  • Bibel, Altes Testament, Genesis 2
  • Bibel, Altes Testament, Genesis 3

Iconclass

Primary
  • 71A42 Temptation and Fall (scenes with both Adam and Eve)
  • 31A235 sitting figure
  • 41D9 (showing oneself) undressed, quasi-nude
  • 25F42 snakes

Research and Discussion

Conservation and Restoration

Art-technology findings and/or documentation regarding conservation and restoration are available for this work. If interested, please contact .

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Last update

25.04.2024