Zondeval - Franciscus Andreas Durlet

A detailed 1844 etching by Franciscus Andreas Durlet depicting the biblical Fall of Man with symbolic figures.

This etching, titled Zondeval, depicts the biblical narrative of the Fall of Man. Franciscus Andreas Durlet presents Adam and Eve beneath the tree of knowledge, with the serpent coiled around the trunk. The composition is structured by the arching branches of the tree, which frame the central figures. Adam is seated with a contemplative expression, while Eve leans towards him, offering the forbidden fruit.

Durlet employs a precise, linear technique characteristic of mid-nineteenth-century printmaking. The surrounding environment includes a lion and a peacock, symbols often associated with the Garden of Eden in religious iconography. The artist uses fine hatching to define the musculature of the figures and the texture of the tree bark. The work reflects the period's interest in classical and biblical themes, rendered with a focus on narrative clarity and anatomical detail. The etching displays a clear influence from the academic traditions of the time, prioritising balanced proportions and a legible arrangement of symbolic elements. The inclusion of the date 1844 at the base confirms its production during the artist's active period in Belgium. This print offers a clear example of the graphic work produced by Durlet, who was also known for his contributions to architecture and decorative arts in Antwerp.