Expulsion of Adam and Eve 18th-19th century

Curator: This is "Expulsion of Adam and Eve" by Benjamin West. Editor: It's so bleak; the muted palette evokes a sense of utter desolation. Curator: Indeed. West, born in 1738, grapples here with the socio-political implications of original sin, a narrative often used to justify societal hierarchies and gender roles. The angel's gesture, so often read as divine will, can also be viewed as an act of patriarchal enforcement. Editor: I find myself drawn to the angel's wings, how they almost engulf Adam and Eve. Wings, universally a symbol of freedom, are here repurposed for constraint. Curator: Precisely. West is using established iconography to subtly critique power dynamics. It prompts us to consider how religious narratives have shaped and continue to shape societal oppression. Editor: Seeing it in this light, the image is anything but bleak. It becomes a powerful critique. Curator: I agree, and I think viewing it through that lens is crucial for understanding its lasting relevance.