This engraving, a deceptive later copy of albrecht dürer's original, demonstrates the artist's fascination with ideal form. Adam and eve are positioned symmetrically in a dark german forest, diverging from the garden described in genesis. Adam, resembling the hellenistic apollo belvedere, reveals dürer's exposure to ancient art seen through drawings. By this date, dürer's engraving mastery is evident, intricately detailing human, animal and plant textures. The mountain ash symbolises the tree of life and the fig the forbidden tree of knowledge. Animals represent medieval temperaments, aligning with dürer's cultural pride and italian influences, blending german identity with the classical tradition, evident in the humours' symbolism and classical figures. Date: 1471-1528. Dimensions: 257 x 195 mm. Medium: engraving on paper. Collection: Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - Albrecht Durer - 20-1932-109
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