The Fall of Adam and Eve

1525, printed later
(German, 1473–1531)
Platemark: 95 x 65.4 cm (37 3/8 x 25 3/4 in.); Sheet: 95.7 x 66.2 cm (37 11/16 x 26 1/16 in.)
Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein V.96.291
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location: not on view

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

In this second state of the print, Eve's nudity was covered with an olive leaf.

Description

This story of Adam and Eve occurs in a tropical location, placing the Garden of Eden closer to what viewers may have believed to be its true location. Palm trees were also associated with human virtues in devotional literature of the
time. The artist’s version of the Genesis story places the blame for human transgression squarely on Eve, who appears to persuade Adam to partake of the fruit, while a monkey, a symbol of bodily pleasure, mimics the humans by bringing fruit to its mouth. Since they were often hung on walls, like paintings, prints of this size rarely survive.
The Fall of Adam and Eve

The Fall of Adam and Eve

1525, printed later

Hans Burgkmair

(German, 1473–1531)
Germany, 16th century

Visually Similar Artworks

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.