Adam and Eve
Medium
glazed ceramic
Dimensions
35 × 26.7 × 8.2 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Educational Purchase Fund
Accession Number
1928.235
Tags
Cleveland Institute of Art (faculty)May Showmale
About this artwork
In a remarkable departure from tradition, this ceramic sculpture depicts Adam tempting Eve with the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. According to the Bible, it was Eve who offered Adam the apple which led to mankind's downfall, ushering sin and death into the world. Adam's loincloth indicates that he has become ashamed of his nudity, a sign of his fall from grace. This startling role reversal reflects Cowan's belief that men are more prone to moral temptation than women. In addition t...