Adam and Eve by Albrecht Durer

 

Albrecht Durer created Adam and Eve in 1504. This was the only artwork that Durer signed his whole name too. Albrecht Durer was determined that there was the ideal form to have and to draw, and that there was a way to learn how to draw those images. The ideal form for Durer started with Adam and Eve where they were the first couple to have nearly symmetrical idealized poses. Durer “described using a ruler and compass during the construction of the Adam and Eve figures in order to get the metrics completely correct in line with the theory of perfect human geometry that he was developing.” (Adam and Eve Engraving). Humanism was used in creating the art. The poses of Adam and Eve are very similar. They both have one arm bent and held up while the other arm is down, and they both have weight on one leg while the other leg is sort of off to the side. “The figure of Adam is reminiscent of the Hellenistic Apollo Belvedere, excavated in Italy late in the fifteenth century.” (Adam and Eve, Wisse). Using Humanism, Wisse focused on how Adam and Eve were standing, how unique they can be while following the same poses, and how their faces and ways they are can tell a story. They were both focused on their worth and dignity, but also how they can relate to each other. Adam and Eve is related to religion also, being believed as they were the first two people to ever walk the Earth.

                There is symbolism in the picture as well. If you look at the picture you will find the following animals: parrot, snake, and Elk. According to the research that I have found, the tree between Adam and Eve, is supposed to be the trunk of a fig tree. This fig tree is supposed to represent the Tree of Knowledge. The snake is wrapped around the tree and if you look closely, you can see an apple in the Snakes mouth that Eve is holding in her hand.

                The background is not of Earth, but it is a dark Germanic Forest. Adam and Eve, in the painting above, was inspired to Durer by some of the classical Greek statues. Two of those statues were the Apollo Belvedere and the Venus de’ Medici.

                Growing up, I went to church and was always told the story of Adam and Eve, and how they were the first two people to ever walk the Earth. I was taught about how Eve betrayed Adam with the snake. Seeing in this artwork and learning about all the qualities of art really puts it into perspective for me. The perspective of the grey and white photo at first is astonishing. They use a darker shade of grey, almost black to show the forest, and then they use other shades of a lighter grey in the front to show Adam and Eve standing in front of a tree. The tree is designed to seem as though it is standing behind them. You can also see the texture in the leaves and even the texture in their stomach muscles to make out muscles they have and earned. There is even a bird in the top left corner that, because the lines and texture are so detailed, you can see and make up the different parts of the bird. After creating this painting, Durer went and traveled around Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, to continue feeding his thirst for knowledge and learning.

                At first, before starting this class, I probably would have said I would not want to own a copy of this artwork. However, being in this class has already opened my eyes to all the varying types of art and all the attributes and qualities it has. I would not mind owning something like this painting. I can relate to learning the history as a child of Adam and would love to learn all about the history of this exact painting, and just being able to study the painting.

 

References:

"Adam and Eve (engraving)." Albert Durer, 2021, www.albrechtdurer.org/adam-and-eve-engraving/.

Wisse, Jacob. "Adam and Eve." The MET, edited by Jacob Wisse, Nov. 2002, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/336222.