Het huwelijk van Adam en Eva 1736 - 1767

Frans de Bakker created this small engraving titled 'The Marriage of Adam and Eve'. The image presents an opportunity to consider the social and cultural narratives that underpin representations of biblical stories. Here we see a depiction of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. A radiant light shines down upon them, symbolizing divine approval. The image creates meaning through its classical references of the nude body and the iconography of the garden, which was common in European art. The depiction of marriage as a sacred union reflects the religious values of the time in which it was made. To fully understand the cultural context of this artwork, we could research the role of religion in Dutch society. It would also be interesting to investigate the history of marriage as a social institution and how it was perceived and regulated during the time. By studying historical texts, religious documents, and social commentaries, we can gain deeper insights into the meaning and significance of this image.