Artwork
Austreibung aus dem Paradies (?)
Austreibung aus dem Paradies (?) is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Johann Christoph Storer. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Johann Christoph Storer’s *Austreibung aus dem Paradies* was executed in 1645 and is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings. The canvas presents the biblical moment when Adam and Eve are driven from Eden, accompanied by an angelic figure. The composition is rendered in the early Baroque idiom that was then spreading from Italy into northern Europe.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualises the expulsion narrative from Genesis: a standing, upward‑reaching Adam and a kneeling, down‑cast Eve, both nude, are shown at the threshold of paradise. Their gestures convey a mixture of resistance and resignation, while the angel’s presence underscores the divine command that forces the first humans into exile.
Technique & Style
Storer employs dramatic chiaroscuro, letting deep, smoky shadows envelop the scene and allowing the flesh of the figures to emerge in softened, almost diffused light. The brushwork blurs the bodies’ contours, creating a sense of movement within the swirling darkness and emphasizing the emotional turbulence of the moment.
History & Provenance
Created during the height of the Baroque period, the painting reflects the cross‑cultural influences between German and Italian artistic circles of the mid‑17th century. It entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display, offering insight into Storer’s oeuvre and the broader diffusion of Baroque themes across Europe.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Christoph Storer (Konstanz, 20 July 1611 – Konstanz, 15 January 1671) was a German Baroque painter, draughtsman and etcher.
