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Each week we bring you four of the most interesting objects from the world’s museums, galleries and art institutions, hand-picked to mark significant moments in the calendar. On the 350th anniversary of the death of John Milton, we take inspiration from the epic poem Paradise Lost – one of the most important poems in the English language . First published in 1667, it addresses the themes of free will and the fall of man by retelling the biblical story of Eden, using this as a way to also explore forms of government and tyranny.
Milton narrates the lives of Adam and Eve, depicting their temptation and subsequent expulsion from Paradise, as well as the life of the fallen angel Satan. The idyllic beauty of Eden and the tragic downfall of its inhabitants have captured the imagination of countless artists, depicting dramatic moments of temptation and rebellion and the complexities of desire and loss. In celebration of Paradise Lost , we explore four artworks that reflect these enduring themes, which have shaped visual culture in the West in a profound way.
Installation shot of Adam (1970) by Alexander Liberman at the Storm King Art Center in New Windsor. Photo: Jerry L. Thompson; © The Alexander Liberman T.
