I found this picture to be particularly intriguing, which surprised me because a lot of the art that Ive seen in the book from this time period I don't find interesting at all. Mostly because it's always basically the same picture, usually the virgin Mary and Jesus or Jesus dying and the artists basically stick to a similar style. This painting stood out to me for a number of reasons, first off I'm pretty sure it's one of the very few religious paintings that is set in the Old Testament. Also the artists style was pretty cool, the way he captured Eve's depression and shame just by how he painted her face. The shadows i think add to that. He portrayed that with Adam well too. Another thing i thought was interesting and I'm not sure if they say this is how it happened in the bible but the way they walk out of a portal-thing adds this surreal element to the picture. Something that really grabbed my attention was how the angel and ultimately God is portrayed with a sword. He comes off as the vengeful God that's seen in the Old Testament, with a sword and in red. As apposed to the way God is portrayed in all the other paintings as this peaceful lamb or dove.
You are very accurate in your thoughts about Old Testament scenes being much less prolific. The sword is actually a reference to the angel standing at the gate with a sword so that Adam and Eve could never enter paradise again. I like that this shows the side of God that demands justice where as other places we see grace.
ReplyDeleteI seriously am wondering, why in all of the images I have seen with angelic figures, are they wearing a red garment?? I am still stuck under the stereotypical mindset that red is passion, love, pure hatred? and that white is supposed to be the pure, and the good? Are angels just like humans?? augh, I apologize for over-thinking this!
ReplyDeleteThis would definitely make for good research. Is the white beautiful angel a more modern view? I know the ringed halo is! I have to wonder if Scripture ever talks about the color of angels. There are some pretty crazy looking creatures in the book of Daniel.
DeleteIn a way this picture looks kind of creepy because of Eve's face, but I get that the painter was trying to show shame and sadness in this because Eve is trying to cover herself up and Adam is hiding his face. But the thing I don't get is why it looks like they are leaving a building when they are being banished from the Garden of Eden?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is a building but is the gate set up to keep Adam and Eve from returning to Paradise.
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