Vertreibung aus dem Paradies 

Gustav Heinrich Naeke drew 'Expulsion from Paradise', a pencil drawing, sometime between 1786 and 1835. It shows Adam and Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden. The image encapsulates the cultural anxieties of its time. Made in Germany, it reflects a society grappling with religious dogma and emerging enlightenment ideals. Note the neoclassical style, drawing on idealized forms reminiscent of Greek sculpture. This choice is significant. Neoclassicism was often used to evoke a sense of moral virtue, yet here, it's applied to a scene of shame and loss. The composition highlights the cultural and institutional forces shaping the reception of biblical stories. God's stern gesture contrasts with Adam and Eve's contorted figures. To fully appreciate this work, consider the theological debates and social norms of Naeke's era. Scholarly resources, like religious texts and social commentaries, can offer deeper insights into the painting's cultural context and its commentary on the social structures of the time.