The Marriage of Adam and Eve

probably 1540/1555

Jean Duvet

Associated Names
Jean Duvet

Artist, French, 1485 - c. 1570

This is a drawing of a scene with a central tree surrounded by numerous figures. The work is highly detailed, with a sense of movement and drama, featuring a densely populated gathering. The scene depicts a group of figures and a central figure in elaborate robes, possibly representing a person of authority or divine power. The central area shows two figures on either side of the central figure, with many surrounding figures showcasing complexity and hierarchy. The figures appear to be participating in or witnessing a significant event, as evidenced by their diverse expressions and postures meticulously portrayed in the drawing.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed within plate mark): 30 × 21.5 cm (11 13/16 × 8 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1954.12.245

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Eisler 1979, no. 35, State ii/ii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

D'Arenberg Collection, Brussels and Westphalia (Lugt 567). (William H. Schab, New York); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1954; gift to NGA, 1954.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1956

  • Selected Prints from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, City Art Museum, St. Louis, MO, 1956.

1966

  • Masters of Etching and Engraving from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, Lakeview Center for the Arts and Sciences, Peoria, IL, 1966, no. 66, repro.

1990

  • Eva/Ave: Woman in Renaissance and Baroque Prints, NGA, 1990, no. 62, repro.

Bibliography

1979

  • Eisler, Colin. The Master of the Unicorn: The Life and Work of Jean Duvet. New York: Abaris Books,1979.

1990

  • Russell 1990, cat.no.62.

Inscriptions

"IOHA / NNES / DVVET / FAC" recto, on plate, on double-tablet at lower left. "ADE ET AEVE CONIVIGIVM EORVMQVE / DIVINA BENEDICTIO ET ALIA HIC / CONTENT A MISTERIA EXPRIMO / GENESIS CAPITE PENE SVMVNTVR" recto, on plate, on plaque at upper center. "3725" verso, lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "737" verso, lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "Duvet" [illeg?] verso, lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. [Illeg] verso, lower right center, red crayon, unknown hand. "No. 1" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand.

Markings

Collection d'Arenberg (Lugt 567) verso, lower left margin, blue stamped ink. "National Gallery of Art" verso, lower center margin, faded black stamped ink.

Wikidata ID

Q65359668

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