Name of Object:

Expulsion from Eden

Location:

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia

Holding Museum:

Dubrovnik Cultural History Museum

Date of Object:

Early 18th century

Artist(s) / Craftsperson(s):

Girolamo Brusaferro or Girolamo Brusafferro  (1677, Venice-1760)

Museum Inventory Number:

DM 21/S

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Oil on canvas

Dimensions:

H: 117 cm; w: 144 cm

Type of object:

Painting

Period of activity:

First half 18th century

Place of production:

Italy

Description:

The painting was until recently ascribed to Giovanni Antoni Pellegrini (1675–1741) but further study of comparative material and references by Visnja Bralic, an art historian from Zagreb, has led to a new attribution of the Venetian painter, Girolamo Brusaferro. Although little biographical information exists about the painter, his work is well known, and this knowledge is supported by other extant pieces by him. Brusaferro, who painted altarpieces for churches in Venice, and historical and mythological scenes for private collections, was a member of the Venetian painters' guild (1702–1722).
The Expulsion from Eden theme was a popular subject for painters during the Baroque period. Here, the artist expressively shows the drama of Adam and Eve driven out of Paradise for their disobedience to God by an angry angel. The busts of the three actors almost fill up the whole surface of the canvas. The angel stands accented with flaming sword in hand, and according to the iconographic principle, in front of the gates of paradise, thus stopping Adam and Eve returning to their haven. The angel, powerfully illuminated, stands with outspread wings brandishing his sword, while the naked bodies of Adam and the hardly visible Eve are in penumbra. Their faces and movements reveal their fear and despair. While Adam is running from the glare of the flaming sword, Eve raises her hands and face to the sky, begging for Divine forgiveness. The colours are warm with a light hue. The figures, emphatically voluminous and in motion, heighten the dynamic nature of the composition.

Expulsion from Eden is the work of the Venetian master, Girolamo Brusaferro, who painted numerous altarpieces for Venetian churches, along with other historical and mythological compositions. The Expulsion from Eden theme was a popular subject for painters during the Baroque period. The picture shows the moment when the angry angel, fiery sword in hand, drives Adam and Eve from their earthly paradise. The terrified and despairing exiles have committed the original sin, the shadow of which has fallen over the whole of mankind. While the powerful, naked Adam in painful spasm is bending over, Eve turns to heaven and begs for Divine assistance. The angel, with robust body and wide outstretched wings, brandishes the fiery sword at Adam. The impressive dynamic composition, marked, bright tonality and emphatic voluminousness of the figures distinguish this painting.

How date and origin were established:

The attribution, made by Visnja Bralic, made use of existing literature, other comparative material and stylistic analysis.

How Object was obtained:

The painting was once in the Museum of Modern Art in Dubrovnik among the works of the old masters. In 1978, the Museum of Modern Art and the Dubrovnik Museums agreed, with the approval of the Ministry of Culture, to give the works of the old masters (16th–19th centuries) to the Dubrovnik Museums, specifically to the Dubrovnik Cultural History Museum. Today the painting is on permanent display on the first floor of the former Rector’s Palace.

Selected bibliography:

Bralić, V., “Doprinosi opusu Girolama Brusaferro”, Radovi instituta za povijest umjetnosti, 28, Zagreb, 2004, pp. 134–145.

Citation of this web page:

Vedrana Gjukić-Bender "Expulsion from Eden" in "Discover Baroque Art", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://baroqueart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;BAR;hr;Mus11_A;18;en

Prepared by: Vedrana Gjukić-Bender
Translation by: Graham McMaster
Translation copyedited by: Mandi GomezMandi Gomez

Amanda Gomez is a freelance copy-editor and proofreader working in London. She studied Art History and Literature at Essex University (1986–89) and received her MA (Area Studies Africa: Art, Literature, African Thought) from SOAS in 1990. She worked as an editorial assistant for the independent publisher Bellew Publishing (1991–94) and studied at Bookhouse and the London College of Printing on day release. She was publications officer at the Museum of London until 2000 and then took a role at Art Books International, where she worked on projects for independent publishers and arts institutions that included MWNF’s English-language editions of the books series Islamic Art in the Mediterranean. She was part of the editorial team for further MWNF iterations: Discover Islamic Art in the Mediterranean Virtual Museum and the illustrated volume Discover Islamic Art in the Mediterranean.

True to its ethos of connecting people through the arts, MWNF has provided Amanda with valuable opportunities for discovery and learning, increased her editorial experience, and connected her with publishers and institutions all over the world. More recently, the projects she has worked on include MWNF’s Sharing History Virtual Museum and Exhibition series, Vitra Design Museum’s Victor Papanek and Objects of Desire, and Haus der Kulturen der Welt’s online publication 2 or 3 Tigers and its volume Race, Nation, Class.

MWNF Working Number: HR 18