Adam and Eve expelled from Paradise 1887

Editor: Here we have Auguste Rodin's marble sculpture, "Adam and Eve expelled from Paradise," created in 1887. The raw texture of the surrounding rock gives a heavy, somber feel, highlighting the smoothness of the figures' skin. The shame is so palpable. What do you make of it? Curator: It makes me wonder what Rodin was really after here. Not just portraying a biblical scene, right? He’s playing with texture and emotion in such a dramatic way. It's as if their grief, shame, and possibly the earth itself are all becoming one. Think about it: polished, vulnerable flesh emerging from the rough stone of their shattered world. I imagine it echoing the messy reality of the transition from innocence to experience. Editor: So, beyond the biblical narrative, it's more about universal human feelings? Curator: Exactly! Maybe the sculpture isn’t really about expulsion. Perhaps it’s about facing hard truths. He seems to be saying there is beauty to be found, even when things fall apart. The bodies may be disgraced, but they're beautiful, aren't they? Editor: It’s interesting to see that even in their grief there's still such visible artistry. So you're saying it's not about the ending of the paradise but a start? Curator: It’s a complex beginning, yes. It reminds me of the Greek tragic heroes. Doomed and suffering, but sublime in their struggle. Rodin’s "Adam and Eve" invites us to empathize. Editor: I never really thought of it like that, seeing past the biblical story. It definitely gives you a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Art is an adventure of discovery and fresh takes, don’t you think?