The Expulsion from Paradise, from "The Small Passion"

The Expulsion from Paradise, from "The Small Passion" is a defining woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1510. This masterful work belongs to Dürer’s highly influential series, "The Small Passion," which comprised thirty-six prints detailing the story of Christ, preceded by four introductory scenes from the Book of Genesis. Produced during the height of the Northern Renaissance, this small-scale composition demonstrates the unparalleled technical mastery that Dürer brought to the medium of the woodcut, elevating it from a simple illustrative technique to a sophisticated artistic form.

The piece vividly captures the pivotal moment following the temptation and fall, as Adam and Eve are forcibly driven out of Eden. The dramatic composition is dominated by a powerful Angel, who stands above the pair, dynamically wielding a fearsome sword to enforce God's decree. The figures of Adam and Eve express profound sorrow and shame, shielding their faces as they turn toward the desolate world outside the now-closed gates of Paradise. Dürer’s detailed line work expertly conveys the muscular tension of Adam and the deep grief of Eve, emphasizing the severe consequences of original sin central to Christian iconography.

Unlike his earlier, monumental works, Dürer designed the compositions in "The Small Passion" to fit a smaller, more intimate format, likely intended for private devotion. These prints were quickly and widely disseminated across Europe, solidifying Dürer’s reputation as the preeminent graphic artist of his era. This specific impression is held within the expansive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a primary example of early 16th-century German printmaking.