God Breathing Life into Adam

1760s

Franz Karl Palko

Associated Names
Franz Karl Palko

Artist, Czech, 1724 - 1767/1770

This is a drawing of a figure animating another figure in a natural outdoor setting. The first figure is depicted floating above the ground with outstretched arms and legs, while the seated figure below looks up in awe. The scene includes a sheep grazing and a rabbit in motion, framed by trees. The drawing conveys a sense of fluid movement and connection between the earthly and the divine.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 24.2 x 17.2 cm (9 1/2 x 6 3/4 in.)
    sheet: 26.1 x 19.4 cm (10 1/4 x 7 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2000.89.5

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Nagler, no. 3

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Wilhelm Soldan, Berlin (not in Lugt). (C.G. Boerner Inc., New York); purchased 2000 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1835

  • Nagler, G.K. Neues allgemeines Kunstler-Lexikon, oder Nachrichten von dem Leben und den Werken der Maler, Bildhauer, Baumeister, Kupferstecher, Formschneider, Lithographen, Zeichner, Medailleure, Elfenbeinarbeiter, etc.. 22 vols. Munich: E.A. Fleischmann, no. 3.

Inscriptions

below image in plate: Formavit igitur Dominus Deus hominem de limo terrae, et in- / spiravit in faciem ejus spiraculum vitae, et factus est homo in / aminam vivenem. Genes. C. 2. V. 7. Palcko fe: jun: membr: Acad. res:; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: geb. in Wien / + Prag 1767; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: TT/199
…

Wikidata ID

Q76340280

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