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The Fall of Man

Pietro Mera

1605

oil

canvas

From the collection of Walters Art Museum

Early Baroque Italian Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

The Fall of Man is a 1605 oil by Pietro Mera, a Early Baroque Italian work, held at Walters Art Museum.

Who painted this?: Pietro Mera
When & what style?: 1605 · Early Baroque Italian
Where can I see it?: Walters Art Museum

About this work

In this painting, a man and woman stand in a lush landscape, surrounded by trees and foliage. The man, positioned on the left, is depicted in a crouching stance, while the woman stands on the right, leaning against a tree trunk. Both figures are nude, with the woman's body facing the man. The scene is set against a backdrop of dense foliage, with the sky visible through the trees. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of serenity and intimacy, with the two figures seemingly lost in their own world. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and dimension to the painting. For more on this technique, explore the art of chiaroscuro.