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Jan Gossaert (Jean Gossart), 'Adam and Eve', about 1520

Key facts
Full title Adam and Eve
Artist Jan Gossaert (Jean Gossart)
Artist dates active 1508; died 1532
Date made about 1520
Medium and support Oil on wood
Dimensions 168.9 × 111.4 cm
Acquisition credit On loan from His Majesty The King
Inventory number L14
Location Not on display
Image copyright On loan from His Majesty The King, © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust
Collection Main Collection
Adam and Eve
Jan Gossaert (Jean Gossart)
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Adam, wearing an apron of leaves, and Eve, still naked, stand between the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. Adam has just tasted the apple that Eve holds, while the serpent watches from above. In the background is the Garden of Eden with the richly decorated Fountain of Life in the centre.

This is one of at least nine painted or drawn compositions of this subject undertaken by the artist; they became progressively more complicated. Gossaert was especially interested in portraying the nude figure; this painting shows the influence of Italian and German art.

This painting is on loan from His Majesty The King

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