Adam and Eve
- Artist: Lucas Cranach the Elder
- Date: 1526
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the "Adam and Eve" by Lucas Cranach the Elder, painted in 1526. In this oil on panel, you see the couple at that tense, fateful instant when they first disobey. Eve, looking almost contemplative, bites into the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, the single tree that God had barred. Adam, after a pause, reaches for another apple, and together they are soon to be cast out as punishment. What makes Cranach’s version special is how he balances the tension with calm. The background is populated with peaceful animals—deer, birds, even a fox—adding a serene atmosphere that feels like it will vanish once the couple leaves the garden. This painting is among the largest he produced on the theme, and it’s arguably the most stunning. His portrayal of the nude figures is striking, almost seductive, amplifying the sense of temptation that drives the biblical narrative. Look up at the tree trunk: you’ll spot his coat of arms—a serpent coiled around a ring—written in white, along with the date of the work. It’s a subtle signature that ties the whole scene together.
See it in person
Adam and Eve hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
