“The Fall and the Expulsion from Paradise” is an artwork created by the Limbourg brothers, notable artists associated with the International Gothic movement. This illustration is part of the “Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry,” a renowned series frequently celebrated for its exquisite detail and vibrant palette.
In the artwork, the scene is delicately divided into two narrative moments from the biblical story of Adam and Eve. On the left side, Eve is depicted taking the forbidden fruit from the serpent entwining a tree, while Adam, on one knee, receives the fruit from her. The central structure, a magnificent and intricate Gothic edifice, stands as a symbolic element encapsulating the divine and ethereal setting of the Garden of Eden. To the right, the composition transitions to the expulsion scene where Adam and Eve, now exiled from paradise, are portrayed in varying expressions of sorrow and regret, guided by an angel clad in vivid red wings. The landscape surrounding the scene is meticulously rendered, with lush greenery in the garden contrasting starkly against the barren and rocky terrain of their exile. The use of vibrant colors and precise details exemplifies the International Gothic style, illustrating the Limbourg brothers’ masterful ability to intertwine narrative and aesthetic elegance.
