# Adam and Eve before the Tree of Knowledge

**Jan Saenredam** (Dutch, 1565–1607)  
1604  
engraving on laid paper  
plate: 27.5 x 19.9 cm (10 13/16 x 7 13/16 in.) sheet: 29.4 x 22.4 cm (11 9/16 x 8 13/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994.50.2. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.90146.html).

## About this work

Jan Saenredam made this in 1604, aged 39. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

This is a drawing of two nude figures standing beneath a fruit-bearing tree surrounded by elements of nature. The drawing depicts a scene in a lush outdoor setting, featuring intricately detailed branches and leaves of the large tree as well as an eagle-like bird perched nearby. In the background are additional trees extending into a forested area, and a winding path leading into the distance. The foreground includes various plants and the ground is littered with their leaves. The figures are positioned at the center, engaged in a gesture of pointing towards the fruit in the tree. The scene is rendered in fine details with attention to the texture and flow of the natural elements surrounding the figures.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Engraving.** Lines cut directly into a metal plate with a steel burin, which makes them swell and taper. It took years to master, and for centuries it was how paintings travelled as pictures.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Jan Saenredam](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/jan-saenredam)

Dutch, 1565–1607

## Facts

- Type: Print
- The artist was 39
- Real size: about 11 × 8 in (28 × 20 cm). The 8 × 10 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 17th century
- Subjects: Adam and Eve, Old Testament, bird
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1624.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1624/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/adam-and-eve-before-the-tree-of-knowledge-nga-90146).