The Flemish and Dutch Paintings

The First Family

Cornelis CORNELISZ.VAN HAARLEM (1562-1638)

1589

Enlarge picture jpg 180Ko (See the caption hereafter) (modal window)
Corneliz Van Haarlem "La Première Famille", 1589, huile sur toile, 144,9 x 186,1 cm, Legs de Silguy, inv. 873-1-328

Oil on canvas

873-1-328

Bequeathed by Jean-Marie de Silguy in 1864

H. 145 cm - L. 186 cm

For this strange painting of the First Family (Adam and Eve surrounded by their sons Cain, Abel and Seth), the painter was inspired by Antiquity (Adam’s torso is taken from Belvedere’s, a copy of which he saw at Fontainebleau) and by Michelangelo.

He plays with strong contrasts in a mannerist fashion. The museum has a later work (1625) by Van Haarlem, Adam et Ève au paradis terrestre (Adam and Eve in Paradise), which is more restrained.

The Flemish and Dutch Paintings

The First Family

Cornelis CORNELISZ.VAN HAARLEM (1562-1638)

1589

Enlarge picture jpg 180Ko (See the caption hereafter) (modal window)
Corneliz Van Haarlem "La Première Famille", 1589, huile sur toile, 144,9 x 186,1 cm, Legs de Silguy, inv. 873-1-328

Oil on canvas

873-1-328

Bequeathed by Jean-Marie de Silguy in 1864

H. 145 cm - L. 186 cm

For this strange painting of the First Family (Adam and Eve surrounded by their sons Cain, Abel and Seth), the painter was inspired by Antiquity (Adam’s torso is taken from Belvedere’s, a copy of which he saw at Fontainebleau) and by Michelangelo.

He plays with strong contrasts in a mannerist fashion. The museum has a later work (1625) by Van Haarlem, Adam et Ève au paradis terrestre (Adam and Eve in Paradise), which is more restrained.

Audio commentary recorded by a student in 11th year at the Likès High School from Quimper

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