Artwork
Adam and Eve at the Foot of the Cross

Adam and Eve at the Foot of the Cross is an ink print by the Baroque artist Claude Mellan. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Adam and Eve at the Foot of the Cross is an engraving on laid paper created by Claude Mellan around 1647.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts two kneeling figures beneath a tall cross, one holding a skull and a dead branch, the other reaching upwards. The imagery may symbolize the transience of life, while the Latin text on the cross adds another layer of meaning.
Technique & Style
The work is an example of engraving, a technique where images are carved into metal. The soft sky with wispy clouds and the detailed rendering of the figures and rocky ground demonstrate Mellan's skill with this medium.
Artist & collection



















