Marc Chagall: Paradise, Tree of Knowledge, Original Lithograph Bible

 

In this lithograph, Chagall depicted the biblical theme of the fall of man. Adam and Eve are resting under the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They are "one flesh" (Genesis 2,24), that is they became one. This implies that they belong together. In Hebrew, they are called "Adam and Adamah": Man and woman, on a par with each other.

But they rebel against God, their creator, they want to be like him. By doing so, they put themselves in his place and this is their real blame. In this work, Eve grabs one of the forbidden fruits which shine nice and red. The greening tree is full of them, and just one less won't be noticeable...? Adam is still asleep, just like he is not "awake" when he takes the fruit from Eve and bites into it. He does not become aware of the consequences of their doing.

The waxing moon shines mysteriously in the upper left-hand corner. In the right-hand corner, we can see a winged creature with a human face. Paradise has lost its blaze of colours, and only the tree of knowledge of good and evil shines in a promising green.