Who painted The Expulsion?

The Expulsion was painted by Adriaen van der Werff in 1700.

Where can I see The Expulsion?

The Expulsion is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is The Expulsion?

The Expulsion is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

The Expulsion

Adriaen van der Werff , 1700

The Expulsion is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van der Werff. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Adriaen van der Werff’s oil painting *The Expulsion*, executed in 1700, portrays the biblical moment when humanity is driven out of Eden. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and is presently part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents three central figures amid a dark void: a winged being reaching downward, a standing woman clutching an infant, and the child turning his head with one arm raised. The angelic figure appears to intervene in the act of banishment, suggesting themes of divine judgment and the rupture of the primordial family.

Technique & Style

Van der Werff employs a stark chiaroscuro scheme, illuminating the flesh of the characters from an unseen source above while the surrounding space remains in deep shadow. This contrast heightens the tactile quality of skin and fabric, creating a dramatic three‑dimensional effect that emphasizes the emotional tension of the scene.

History & Provenance

Painted at the turn of the eighteenth century, the canvas entered the Russian imperial collection during the 18th‑century acquisitions that formed the core of the Hermitage. It has remained in the museum’s holdings since, where it is displayed among other works of the Dutch Golden Age.

Context

Van der Werff, renowned for his refined portraiture and mythological subjects, turned to biblical narratives in this period, reflecting the era’s interest in moralizing themes. The work exemplifies the Dutch tradition of combining precise draftsmanship with a theatrical use of light, aligning it with contemporary European approaches to religious storytelling.