Etching and mezzotint by John Martin (1789-1854), entitled 'Adam reproving Eve', a plate illustrating 'The Paradise Lost of Milton', published by Septimus Prowett. London, 1827.

Etching and mezzotint entitled 'Adam reproving Eve', a plate from 'The Paradise Lost of Milton'. Lettered 'Book 10, line 863. Proof. Designed & Engraved by J.Martin Esqr. Printed by J.Lahee. London, Published by Septimus Prowett 62, Paternoster Row 1826'.

Purchased with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, Shell International and the Friends of the V&A

This was one of Martin's last three major mezzotints, but they were a commercial failure. Balston states that 'Leggatt, Hayward and Leggatt's Descriptive Key' (1855) to Martin's Judgement Pictures refers to the artist as `Painter of Belshazzar's Feast, Fall of Nineveh, The Destroying Angel, etc.,' but found no other record of the picture: see Balston, p.277.
An earlier, almost identical, version of the subject had been engraved in mezzotint by Martin's son Alfred and published in 1835 (see VAM, E.530 1966). The mezzotint was Plate 33 in Martin's 'Illustrations of The Bible', 1835.
The Revd George Croly (1780-1860) was a prolific author. His work includes the historical descriptions to D. Roberts, 'The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, & Nubia'.

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