1543
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Expulsion from Paradise is a 1543 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows three figures being pushed out of a lush, leafy space. The man on the left is hunched, his arm raised like he’s shielding his face. The woman clutches his arm, her body twisted as she turns away. A small, winged figure hovers near her feet, looking back toward the trees. The background is thick with tangled vines and leaves, while the edges of the scene feel rough and urgent. Notice how the artist used tiny, crisscrossed lines to build up shadows and muscle—it’s all done with the tip of a sharp tool. This isn’t paint; it’s ink pressed into metal. Want to see how this technique works up close? Try looking at engraving.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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