Expulsion from Paradise 1585

Johann Sadeler’s engraving depicts the moment Adam and Eve are cast out from Paradise. Observe the angel, not as a beacon of hope, but as an agent of divine wrath, driving the first humans from Eden with a stern gesture. Consider the serpent coiled at the lower left. It is more than a mere animal; it is the ancient symbol of temptation, and a harbinger of chaos and deceit. This symbol echoes through time, from the caduceus of Hermes to the ouroboros of alchemical traditions, each reflecting a duality of healing and destruction. Observe Eve’s expression—a raw, unfiltered display of anguish, while Adam shields her, and turns away from the angel. This primal scene of expulsion is not just a biblical episode but also an archetype of loss, forever imprinted in the collective consciousness. Such emotional displays connect us to the artwork on a visceral level, engaging our deepest fears and hopes. This visual language is non-linear, constantly resurfacing and evolving with each retelling. The motifs of the serpent, and the angel, recur throughout art history, adapting, shifting, and taking on new layers of meaning as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of human culture.