“The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise” is a religious painting created in 1791 by Benjamin West, rendered in oil on canvas in the Neoclassical art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 278.1 by 186.8 cm.
The artwork vividly depicts the dramatic moment of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden. In the composition, an angel is prominently featured with a dynamic pose, one hand raised while the other points the sorrowful couple towards their exit. Adam, standing and shielding his face with his arm, embodies shame and grief, while Eve kneels beside him, grasping his arm, her face showing a blend of despair and supplication. The background is filled with dark, swirling clouds, enhancing the overall sense of turmoil and divine judgement. To the lower right of the painting, the threatening presence of a coiled snake can be seen, a reminder of the original sin that led to their fall. The use of light and shadow masterfully highlights the stark contrast between divine purity and human frailty, underscoring the neoclassical ideals of moral and philosophical themes.
