Adam and Eve (Rodin)

Adam and Eve are a pair of sculptures created by Auguste Rodin, conceived as part of his monumental bronze doorway, The Gates of Hell. While initially intended to be integral figures in the composition of The Gates, both sculptures were eventually exhibited as independent works due to Rodin's dissatisfaction with their size and form within the overall design.

Adam: Created around 1880-1881, Rodin's Adam represents the first man after his transgression, burdened by guilt and shame. The figure's muscular form is dynamically posed, reflecting inner turmoil and the weight of responsibility. He is depicted with a contracted chest and a head bowed in sorrow.

Eve: Sculpted slightly earlier than Adam, around 1881, Rodin's Eve portrays the first woman after her temptation and fall from grace. Her figure is more withdrawn and introspective than Adam's. She is depicted covering her abdomen, symbolizing shame and awareness of her nakedness after eating the forbidden fruit. The figure is often characterized by a sense of vulnerability and regret.

Though originally intended to flank The Gates of Hell, representing the consequences of sin and the origin of human suffering, Rodin eventually decided that the scale of these figures did not harmonize with the overall design. He thus removed them and continued to work on them as individual masterpieces. The themes of temptation, guilt, shame, and the human condition remain central to the understanding and appreciation of Adam and Eve as stand-alone sculptures. They are considered significant works in Rodin's oeuvre and examples of 19th-century sculpture exploring the psychological and emotional depths of biblical narratives.