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God Judging Adam

ca. 1795
Not on view
A nude and aged Adam, newly aware of his own nakedness and mortality, hangs his head before a fiery chariot bearing the divine maker whom he resembles exactly. For many years, this image was thought to represent Elijah in the fiery chariot, but more recently has been connected to a passage in Genesis 3:17-19 in which God condemns Adam for tasting the forbidden fruit. The print was made using a unique method of Blake's invention. A plate etched in relief was employed to print the design; then colors were painted onto millboard, or a similar surface, and printed onto the sheet like a monotype. Finally, Blake enhanced the print by hand with watercolor and ink.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: God Judging Adam
  • Artist: William Blake (British, London 1757–1827 London)
  • Date: ca. 1795
  • Medium: Color relief etching finished with pen and ink and watercolor
  • Dimensions: sheet: 16 3/4 x 20 3/4in. (42.5 x 52.7cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1916
  • Object Number: 16.38
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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