The Creation and Fall of Man
Engraving
after 1529 (made)
after 1529 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Like his contemporary, Albrecht Dürer, Lucas van Leyden was internationally recognised within his lifetime and beyond. Giorgio Vasari, writing in 1568, praised Leyden's fine engraving style and his use of perspective. Fine quality early impressions of his prints are rare. Copper printing plates are capable of producing only one or two hundred fine impressions before the plate starts to wear down, especially with a fine line engraving style as Leyden's. Such was Leyden's reputation and his prints so sought by collectors that his original printing plates were kept and impressions taken from them long after his death, resulting in a larger number of surviving poor and worn impressions than fine ones. Numerous copies were also made from his originals, which satisfied demand when originals were not available or affordable and for collectors of images interested more in subject matter.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Titles |
|
Materials and techniques | Engraving in ink on paper |
Brief description | Engraving of The Creation of Eve, from a series of six prints entitled The Creation and Fall of Man, copy after Lucas Hugensz van Leyden (called Lucas Jacobsz). |
Physical description | God, wearing a turban and long tunic with belt, pulls Eve from Adam's side as he sleeps. Adam is reclined to the right with his head and arms resting on a rock. God and Eve's heads are central in the image. Behind them is a landscape of trees and mountain. In the foreground is a rocky, grassy area. Adam and Eve are both naked but a flower or leafy plant (acanthus?) manages to obscure Adam's private parts. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Production type | Copy |
Marks and inscriptions | 1529 / L [in reverse] (Inscribed on plate, towards top centre) |
Subjects depicted | |
Place depicted | |
Literary reference | Genesis 2:21-22 |
Summary | Like his contemporary, Albrecht Dürer, Lucas van Leyden was internationally recognised within his lifetime and beyond. Giorgio Vasari, writing in 1568, praised Leyden's fine engraving style and his use of perspective. Fine quality early impressions of his prints are rare. Copper printing plates are capable of producing only one or two hundred fine impressions before the plate starts to wear down, especially with a fine line engraving style as Leyden's. Such was Leyden's reputation and his prints so sought by collectors that his original printing plates were kept and impressions taken from them long after his death, resulting in a larger number of surviving poor and worn impressions than fine ones. Numerous copies were also made from his originals, which satisfied demand when originals were not available or affordable and for collectors of images interested more in subject matter. |
Associated object | E.46-1941 (Original) |
Bibliographic references |
|
Other number | Bartsch 1 |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.754-1885 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | September 18, 2008 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON