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The image depicts two nude figures in a complex scene. The male figure, on the left, is muscular with a full beard and curly hair, lying on the ground with his head tilted back. The female figure, on the right, sits with one arm raised behind her head, long flowing hair, and delicate features. Both have modesty leaves and vines covering some areas. In the background, there is a stone tablet with Latin inscriptions partly obscured by clouds, a reaching skeleton, stylized clouds, and chains on the ground around the male figure.
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The image depicts two nude figures in a complex scene. The male figure, on the left, is muscular with a full beard and curly hair, lying on the ground with his head tilted back. The female figure, on the right, sits with one arm raised behind her head, long flowing hair, and delicate features. Both have modesty leaves and vines covering some areas. In the background, there is a stone tablet with Latin inscriptions partly obscured by clouds, a reaching skeleton, stylized clouds, and chains on the ground around the male figure.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Adam and Eve at the Foot of the Cross

Claude Mellan

Date
c. 1647
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 36.8 x 57 cm (14 1/2 x 22 7/16 in.) sheet: 37 x 57.2 cm (14 9/16 x 22 1/2 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2001.14.1
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1601 to 1650
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • Old Testament
  • religious
  • Crucifixion
  • Life of Christ
  • engraving
  • Vanitas
Provenance

F. Gawet, Vienna, 1826 (Lugt 1069). Johann Sigmund Bermann, Vienna, 1834 (Lugt 235). (sale, Galerie Bassenge, Berlin, 24 November 2000, no. 5171) (via David Tunick, New York); purchased 2000 by NGA.

Inscription

by the artist, lower left in rock: CMellan inven. et scul. cum pr. R.; by the artist, center in banner: IPSE ENIM EST PAX NOSTRA OVI FECIT VTRAQVE VNVM Eph. Cap. 2; by the artist, center on tablet: AVDI / ISRAEL / Diliges Dominum / Deum tuum / ex toto corde tuo / er in tota anima tua et / in tota mente tua.; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: Agos 6210 / A -1528-; by later hand lower right berso in graphite: 27 / DTHHCCIB 204

NGA object ID 118033. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.