The Expulsion from Paradise
Group
early 18th century (made)
early 18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This marble group represents the Expulsion from Paradise and is made by Francesco Bertos, in the early 18th century.
The circular composition of the group is characteristic of the work of Bertos (active 1693-1734). The figures have analogies in the male figures in the marble group of the Triumph of Truth and in a female figure in the Allegory of Winter in the Palazzo Reale, Turin. The origins of Bertos are unknown, but he is documented as working in Rome (1693), Venice (1710) and Padua (1733-34). He is better known for his work which lends itself more readily to his individual style.
Ideally seen in the round or turned, this group in fact relates to the viewer in the intimate manner of a small bronze. In contrast to the adjacent bust, the composition of the group works against the properties of the crystalline and brittle marble which has been largely cut away to create the slender forms.
The circular composition of the group is characteristic of the work of Bertos (active 1693-1734). The figures have analogies in the male figures in the marble group of the Triumph of Truth and in a female figure in the Allegory of Winter in the Palazzo Reale, Turin. The origins of Bertos are unknown, but he is documented as working in Rome (1693), Venice (1710) and Padua (1733-34). He is better known for his work which lends itself more readily to his individual style.
Ideally seen in the round or turned, this group in fact relates to the viewer in the intimate manner of a small bronze. In contrast to the adjacent bust, the composition of the group works against the properties of the crystalline and brittle marble which has been largely cut away to create the slender forms.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Expulsion from Paradise (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Marble |
| Brief description | Group, marble, the Expulsion from Paradise, by Francesco Bertos, Italian, 18th century |
| Physical description | The group rises from a circular naturalistic base, on which are a skull, a scythe held by a skeletal hand, and two tree trunks. Round the smaller tree trunk is the serpent. The larger tree trunk rises to the full height of the group; above it is a winged angel. The figure of Eve is shown beside the larger tree, which she clasps with her right hand. Adam to the right holds her left wrist with his left hand; his right hand, holding an apple, rests on the smaller tree. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1953. Historical significance: The circular composition of the group is characteristic of the work of Bertos. The figures have analogies in the male figures in the marble group of the Triumph of Truth and in a female figure in the Allegory of Winter in the Palazzo Reale, Turin. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This marble group represents the Expulsion from Paradise and is made by Francesco Bertos, in the early 18th century. The circular composition of the group is characteristic of the work of Bertos (active 1693-1734). The figures have analogies in the male figures in the marble group of the Triumph of Truth and in a female figure in the Allegory of Winter in the Palazzo Reale, Turin. The origins of Bertos are unknown, but he is documented as working in Rome (1693), Venice (1710) and Padua (1733-34). He is better known for his work which lends itself more readily to his individual style. Ideally seen in the round or turned, this group in fact relates to the viewer in the intimate manner of a small bronze. In contrast to the adjacent bust, the composition of the group works against the properties of the crystalline and brittle marble which has been largely cut away to create the slender forms. |
| Bibliographic reference | Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Volume II: Text. Sixteenth to Twentieth Century. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1964, pp. 663, 4, cat. no. 710 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.69-1953 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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