Artwork
The Creation of Eve. Composition. Opus II
The Creation of Eve. Composition. Opus II is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Jens Adolf Jerichau. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1915, The Creation of Eve.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1915, The Creation of Eve. Composition. Opus II is an oil painting by Danish artist Jens Adolf Jerichau.
Though primarily known as a sculptor, Jerichau applied his evolving aesthetic to canvas, producing a work that resides in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst. The composition presents a tumultuous gathering of figures rendered in vivid, clashing hues.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure cradling a smaller form may allude to the divine act of giving life, while the surrounding bodies amplify the sense of collective genesis.
The painting interprets the biblical moment of Eve’s creation, yet it does so through a symbolic lens rather than literal illustration. Figures are intertwined in a chaotic mass, suggesting the primal forces and emotional intensity surrounding the emergence of humanity. The central figure cradling a smaller form may allude to the divine act of giving life, while the surrounding bodies amplify the sense of collective genesis.
Technique & Style
Jerichau employs thick, impasto brushwork that emphasizes texture over precise modeling. Colors, bright reds, blues, and yellows, are applied in a disorderly fashion, producing a raw, expressive surface. Forms are simplified, bordering on sketch-like outlines, reflecting Symbolist priorities of mood and idea over naturalistic representation.
The lack of smooth contours and the vigorous application of paint convey an emotional immediacy characteristic of Jerichau’s later, more dynamic style.
History & Provenance
The work was completed during a period when Jerichau was shifting from Neoclassical restraint toward a more animated, realistic approach. After its creation, the painting entered the holdings of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on view. Its presence in the museum underscores the artist’s significance within early twentieth‑century Danish art and the broader Symbolist movement.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Emil Jens Baumann Adolf Jerichau (17 April 1816 – 25 July 1883) was a Danish sculptor.
