Fall (or Temptation of Adam), from "The Dance of Death"

Fall (or Temptation of Adam), from "The Dance of Death" by Hans Holbein the Younger is a pivotal early work, executed between 1521 and 1538. This powerful piece is a fine example of the Renaissance woodcut technique, showcasing the detailed line work characteristic of German prints during the Reformation era. The work belongs to Holbein’s renowned series, Images of Death, which personified Death confronting figures from all strata of society, highlighting the inescapable nature of mortality.

Unlike the main plates of the series, which depict contemporary figures, this initial composition illustrates the theological origin of death: the Biblical Fall. Younger captures Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, surrounded by dense foliage rendered with astonishing detail for the medium. The focus centers on the moment of transgression, with Eve accepting the forbidden fruit. The serpentine tempter is vividly depicted, coiled subtly yet aggressively around the Tree of Knowledge, embodying original sin. The remarkable precision of the woodcut lines, likely carved by the master block cutter Hans Lützelburger based on Younger’s sophisticated design, emphasizes the intense narrative tension.

Holbein, operating in Basel, Switzerland, utilized his skill in printmaking to distribute these influential and morally instructive images widely across Europe. This definitive impression of the woodcut is preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Holbein's series provided a deeply humanistic commentary on spiritual accountability and vanity. Today, high-resolution images and prints of this historic work are frequently found in the public domain, allowing wide study of the Younger’s innovative approach to narrative illustration.