Albrecht Durer "The Fall of Man" Woodcut, after 1511
Item Details
A posthumously printed Albrecht Durer (Germany, 1471-1528) original woodcut, from an edition after 1511, printed on laid paper. The piece, titled ‘The Fall of Man’ from the ‘Small Passion’ series of woodcuts, printed on laid, potentially from the 1612 edition, but also potentially from 18th and 19th century editions. Features collector’s stamps on the verso ‘Dr. K.O.’ and ‘Georgey Hagaytek’ neither in Lugt, another unidentified. The piece includes a certificate of authenticity and is beautifully presented in an ornate gilt gesso over wood frame with matting and a befitting acanthus pattern. Durer, undoubtedly the world’s great wood engraver, has here represented the first couple, our primordial spiritual parents, in a beautiful and highly symbolic manner. Adam and Eve saunter through the Garden of Eden as their resolution begins to waive. Dürer’s attention to detail is remarkable, as we spy a lion, bison, and badger peering out from the leafy brush. Curiously, the serpent bites the forbidden fruit in this depiction. Eve appears seemingly preoccupied with her conversation with Adam, as she casually offers the fruit for consumption. At this instance, we cannot be sure if she has already taken a bite of the forbidden fruit. However, we clearly sense the impending doom that will soon head Adam and Eve’s direction. Strauss states of this work, ‘The most remarkable feature of this representation is the ’interwoven’ legs of the protagonists [Adam and Eve], fusing their lines and contours into a single form…’ (Bartsch 259). Though Adam and Eve are falling from grace, they are doing so together, at each other’s side.
Condition
Image appears to be clipped, but in very good condition
Dimensions
The plate impression is 5 × 3 13/16"
Item #
13CIN063-079
