1940s Bronze Figure of Adam, After the 1896 Paul Wayland Bartlett Original

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The powerful figure of Adam, depicted crouching in fear and shame following his expulsion from the Garden of Eden, is … Read more The powerful figure of Adam, depicted crouching in fear and shame following his expulsion from the Garden of Eden, is among the most celebrated male nudes created by Paul Wayland Bartlett. The original sculpture, executed in 1896, is considered one of Bartlett's finest works and is exceedingly rare.

This example is a later bronze cast after Bartlett's original model, likely produced several decades ago. Its rich, lustrous patina is complemented by areas of natural verdigris and age-appropriate surface wear, attesting to its maturity. Beautifully rendered anatomical details, including the musculature of Adam's back, as well as the expressive modeling of the hands and feet, reflect the strength of Bartlett's original composition.

As expected of a later cast, the signature is softly defined, and portions of the figure, including an area of the back, lack the crispness and refined finish found on lifetime casts. Nevertheless, the sculpture remains an impressive and evocative interpretation of one of Bartlett's most admired works.

Bartlett spent much of his career in France and achieved international recognition for his monumental sculpture. He is perhaps best known for Bear Tamer, examples of which are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Today, his work is represented in numerous public and private collections and is admired for its technical mastery and expressive realism. See less