Temptation of Adam

Edgar Tolson, Temptation of Adam, 1974, carved and painted wood, 14 3412 148 in. (37.531.120.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.272

Artwork Details

Title
Temptation of Adam
Artist
Date
1974
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
14 3412 148 in. (37.531.120.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — reptile — snake
  • State of being — evil — temptation
  • Landscape — tree — apple tree
  • Religion — Old Testament — Eve
  • Religion — Old Testament — Adam
Object Number
1986.65.272

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.

Works by this artist (1 item)

Frances Lee Turner, Bulloch Hall, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1965.18.47
Bulloch Hall
Date1934
oil on canvas
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Marjorie Raiguel, Sailboat Basin, ca. 1940, watercolor and pencil on paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1974.28.249
Sailboat Basin
Dateca. 1940
watercolor and pencil on paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Cass Gilbert, Winchester, England, 1921, watercolor, pencil and charcoal on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Emily Finch Gilbert through Julia Post Bastedo, executor, 1962.13.51
Winchester, England
Date1921
watercolor, pencil and charcoal on paper
Not on view
Owen McHugh, Unfolded #25, n.d., watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the S. W. and B. M. Koffler Foundation, 1980.103.5
Unfolded #25
Daten.d.
watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper
Not on view
Julian Martinez, Avanyu, ca. 1923, watercolor, ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corbin-Henderson Collection, gift of Alice H. Rossin, 1979.144.85
Avanyu
Dateca. 1923
watercolor, ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view