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Jan Gossaert

Adam and Eve

Maker

Jan Gossaert (Netherlandish, ca. 1472-ca. 1533)

Title

Adam and Eve

Year

ca. 1525

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

chalk, crayon

Supports

Dimensions

62.1 x 45.9 cm (24 7/16 x 18 1/16 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Marks: Watermark:orb with cross? (undescribed)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Walter H. Kimball Fund

Object Number

48.425

Type

Publications

Exhibition History

Design and Description
Renaissance and Baroque Drawings
Jan 27, 2006 – Apr 09, 2006

Label copy

Gossaert was the court artist to Philip of Burgundy at Utrecht and the first Northern Renaissance artist known to have traveled to Rome. Gossaert’s depiction of the Fall of Man portrays a psychologically charged moment infused with overt eroticism. Eve reaches simultaneously toward the apple and Adam’s groin. Adam is no less culpable, however, as his arms stretch in two directions paralleling those of Eve. Gossaert’s muscular bodies reveal his engagement with Italian models; however, his descriptive approach to the texture and details of skin, bark, snakeskin, and hair-achieved through rubbing, or stumping, natural chalk-indicates his immersion in Northern traditions. The ultimate use of this remarkable drawing is unknown. It may have functioned as a workshop model.

Treasures on Paper
Drawings and Watercolors from the Permanent Collection
Jun 13, 1989 – Aug 19, 1989
Old Master Drawings
Sep 02, 1983 – Oct 16, 1983
Raid the Icebox 1 with Andy Warhol
Apr 23, 1970 – Jun 30, 1970

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Jan Gossaert (Netherlandish, ca. 1472-ca. 1533)
Adam and Eve, ca. 1525
Chalk on two joined sheets of paper
62.1 x 45.9 cm (24 7/16 x 18 1/16 inches)
Walter H. Kimball Fund 48.425

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