1626
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Adam and Eve driven from Paradise is a 1626 by Francesco Villamena, a Baroque work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting depicts a scene from the biblical story of Adam and Eve, with an angel driving them out of paradise. The angel is shown with large wings and a sword, while Adam and Eve are naked and covering themselves with leaves. In the background, there is a dramatic sky with clouds and rays of light shining down. The overall mood of the painting is one of sadness and loss, as Adam and Eve are being expelled from their former home. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and emotion, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figures. For more on this technique, explore the concept of chiaroscuro.
The etching depicts Adam and Eve being expelled from Paradise by an angel, accompanied by the inscription *E paradiso ab Angelo pelluntur*. Executed on paper, it is part of a series of twenty prints illustrating biblical scenes derived from Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican's Loggie, commonly known as the 'Raphael Bible'.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Francesco Villamena (1564–1624) was an Italian engraver, drawing teacher and art collector.
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