Adam and Eve/Cain and Abel, Maarten de Vos (Antwerp 1532 – 1603) Workshop/follower

Maarten de Vos (Antwerp 1532 – 1603) Workshop/follower

Adam and Eve after the Sin/
The sacrifices of Cain and Abel

Oils on canvas (41 x 51 cm – in old frames (defects) 50 x 60 cm.)

FULL DETAILS OF THE WORKS AT THE FOLLOWING LINK

This pair of interesting depictions, entitled “Adam and Eve after the Sin” and “The Sacrifices of Cain and Abel”, are the pictorial derivation of two ancient engravings made by the Flemish master Johann Sadler I.

In particular, these works belong to a famous series from 1583 entitled Boni et Mali Scientia ** (Knowledge of Good and Evil), engraved by Sadeler based on an invention by the Flemish painter Maarten De Vos (Antwerp 1532 – 1603) after his formative trip to Italy, especially to Venice, Rome and Florence.

The sequence of these extraordinary compositions illustrates the crucial moments of Genesis, from the consequences of original sin to the subsequent history of the first men and the origins of humanity.

In our case, the first painting shows the hard life of our ancestors after being expelled from the Earthly Paradise: in the center, Adam labors in the arid earth, symbolizing God's condemnation of manual labor, while Eve, inside a rudimentary hut, looks after the little Cain and Abel.

In the background, a beautiful natural landscape rich in naturalistic details preserves intact the idyllic vision of the Earthly Paradise, populated by numerous animal species, including a camel, a unicorn, and a stork, typical of the Flemish tradition influenced by the successful motifs of the Brueghel masters. Immersed in the golden light of Eden, the small nude figures of Adam and Eve stand out, captured in a state of purity and total harmony with nature, before their spiritual fall. Above them stands the Archangel Michael, who will mark the end of their idyll.

The second work instead shows the prelude to the dramatic story that will see the two children of Adam and Eve as protagonists, intent on sacrificing the fruit of their labor to God.

Cain is, in fact, a farmer and sacrifices the fruits of the earth to God: the smoke from his sacrifice, however, is dark, thick, and bends downward, symbolizing God's rejection. At his side is his brother Abel, a shepherd, kneeling before a pyre on which he sacrifices a lamb from his flock. The smoke from his altar rises straight and light toward the sky, where the figure of God the Father can be seen among the clouds, favorably accepting the offering.

In the background, we can glimpse the tragic events that follow, with Cain, gripped by jealousy, killing his brother. Next to him is the hut in which Adam and Eve's parents rest.

The style of our works exhibits close affinities with the compositions of Marten de Vos, who was able to blend traditional Flemish taste with Italianate characteristics.

The pleasant quality of the works, characterised by a soft rendering and an intense chromatic tone, suggests that they may have been created in the master's workshop or created by a skilled painter belonging to the large group of followers influenced by his style, in this case inspired by the etching of Sadeler I. Many prints of his works regularly served as graphic models for the painters and collaborators of his circle, who transposed his graphic inventions onto canvases and panels destined for private Flemish collections.

** Sadeler Johann I (Brussels, 1550 – Venice, 1601)
BONI ET MALI SCIENTIA
Engraver: Sadeler Johann I (1550/1601)/Inventor: De Vos Marten (1532/ 1603-1604)
https://www.calcografica.it/stampe/inventario.php?id=S-FC40007

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The paintings are complete with 2 pleasant antique frames and are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

If you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we will be happy to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, in Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We are waiting for you!

Contact us for any information or to organize a visit, we will be happy to answer you.

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