Human nature is originally good. Any evil in it results from the changes made upon it by external things. Of man’s first disobedience and the fruit of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste brought death into the world for all our woe. –Lu Wang 

Jacob Landau, Human nature is originally good. Any evil in it results from the changes made upon it by external things. Of man's first disobedience and the fruit of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste brought death into the world for all our woe. --Lu Wang (1139-1192), Chinese Philosopher and John Milton's Paradise Lost. From the series Great Ideas., 1960, watercolor on paperboard mounted on board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.168
Jacob Landau, Human nature is originally good. Any evil in it results from the changes made upon it by external things. Of man's first disobedience and the fruit of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste brought death into the world for all our woe. --Lu Wang , 1960, watercolor on paperboard mounted on board, sheet: 17 5822 18 in. (44.756.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.168

Artwork Details

Title
Human nature is originally good. Any evil in it results from the changes made upon it by external things. Of man’s first disobedience and the fruit of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste brought death into the world for all our woe. –Lu Wang (11391192), Chinese Philosopher and John Milton’s Paradise Lost. From the series Great Ideas.
Artist
Date
1960
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 17 5822 18 in. (44.756.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on paperboard mounted on board
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
  • Figure
  • State of being — evil — temptation
  • Animal — reptile — snake
Object Number
1984.124.168

Works by this artist (2 items)

Eleanor Modrakowska, Charles White, n.d., drypoint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chicago Society of Etchers, 1935.13.620
Charles White
Daten.d.
drypoint
Not on view
Eleanor Modrakowska, Reflection (Self Portrait), 1936, drypoint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chicago Society of Etchers, 1935.13.621
Reflection (Self Portrait)
Date1936
drypoint
Not on view

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Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
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Nathan Oliveira, Site with Blue and White, 1978, monotype, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Moses Lasky, 2004.32.14
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