Garden of Eden

Alexander Bogardy, Garden of Eden, 20th century, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.7
Copied Alexander Bogardy, Garden of Eden, 20th century, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.7

Artwork Details

Title
Garden of Eden
Date
20th century
Location
Not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Object Number
1998.84.7

Artwork Description

Alexander Bogardy created colorful works that often explored his spiritual beliefs. Garden of Eden is the artist's interpretation of the scene from the book of Genesis when God banishes Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden for eating fruit from the forbidden tree. Bogardy gave the scene a heightened sense of drama by including ominous dark skies and swirling pterodactyls, and by depicting Adam and Eve with an unmistakable look of guilt on their faces as they cover their bodies in shame. The serpent can be seen in a tree to the right of the image. Prehistoric creatures appear to form a menacing ring around the man and woman, creating the impression that at this moment the garden is far from paradise.