Expulsion

Copied Edgar Tolson, Expulsion, 1975, carved and painted white poplar with pencil, 14 x 13 1⁄2 x 9 1⁄8 in. (35.5 x 34.8 x 23.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.270

Artwork Details

Title
Expulsion
Artist
Date
1975
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
14 x 13 1⁄2 x 9 1⁄8 in. (35.5 x 34.8 x 23.2 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted white poplar with pencil
Classifications
Keywords
  • Animal — reptile — snake
  • Landscape — tree — apple tree
  • Religion — Old Testament — Eve
  • Religion — Old Testament — Adam
  • Religion — angel
Object Number
1986.65.270
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.65.270

Artwork Description

Edgar Tolson created around a hundred carvings that show Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He believed that this event, along with the crucifixion of Christ, was one of the most important in history because it symbolized human weakness. (Michael D. Hall, "You Make It with Your Mind," The Clarion, 1987) In this piece, Tolson left the wood bare to symbolize the innocence of the first couple, but painted the snake black to highlight the devil's wickedness.