Albrecht Dürer, The Fall of Man (The Small Passion), 1612

Artist: Albrecht Dürer (1471 - 1528)
Title:The Fall of Man (The Small Passion), 1612
Reference:B.17; K.224; M.127
Medium:Original Woodcut
Image Size:5 in x 3 7/8 in (12.6 cm x 9.7 cm)
Sheet Size:7 3/4 in x 5 1/2 in (19.7 cm x 14 cm)
Framed Size:21 4/5 in x 20 3/4 in (55.4 cm x 52.7 cm)
Edition:This work is from the Italian edition of 1612, with Italian text on verso.
Signature:This work is monogrammed and dated with Albrecht Dürer's signature initials in the woodblock 'AD' on a slate in the lower right.
Condition:This work is in good condition.
ID #w-4220

Historical Description

Adam and Eve saunter through the Garden of Eden as their resolution begins to waive. Dürer's attention to detail is remarkable, as we spy a lion, bison, and badger peering out from the leafy brush. Curiously, the serpent bites the forbidden fruit in this depiction. Eve appears seemingly preoccupied with her conversation with Adam, as she casually offers the fruit for consumption. At this instance, we cannot be sure if she has already taken a bite of the forbidden fruit. However, we clearly sense the impending doom that will soon head Adam and Eve's direction. Strauss states of this work, "The most remarkable feature of this representation is the "interwoven" legs of the protagonists [Adam and Eve], fusing their lines and contours into a single form…" (Bartsch 259). Though Adam and Eve are falling from grace, they are doing so together, at each other's side.

Created in 1612, this original woodcut is monogrammed and dated with Albrecht Dürer's signature initials in the woodblock 'AD' on a slate in the lower right. This work is from the Italian edition of 1612 with Italian text on verso.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
This work is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices accompanying the final sale of the work):

1) Bartsch. (1981). The Illustrated Bartsch. Abaris Books: New York. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonnè no. 17 on pg. 259-261.

2) Kurth, W. (1963). The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer. Dover Publications, Inc.: NY. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 224 and discussed on page 31.

3) Meder, J. (1932). Dürer-Katalog. Verlag Gilhofer & Ranschburg: Vienna. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 126 on pg. 132-33.

4) Scheller, R. & Boon, K. (1971). The Graphic Art of Albrecht Dürer, Hans Dürer and The Dürer School. Vangendt & Co.: Amsterdam. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 162 on pg. 115.

5) Schoch, R. et. Al. (2002). Albrecht Dürer, Das druckgraphische Werk, Band II: Holzschnitte und Holzschnittfolgen. Prestel: München. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 187 on pgs. 288-289.

6) Strauss, W. (1980). Albrecht Dürer Woodcuts and Wood Blocks. Abaris Books, Inc.: NY. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 137 on pgs. 406-7.

7) A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
Museum grade conservation framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.