Suzanne Valadon: “Adam and Eve” – France – 1920

ARTWORK:

Adam and Eve 🍎
In this work, the iconography of Adam and Eve is transformed by Suzanne Valadon, which makes it more intimate and romantic. She portrays herself with her lover, Andre Utter, in a bold double portrait standing. Eve is shown frontal, while Adam is partially covered by a belt of vine leaves.

A photograph of a previous state reveals that Utter was initially without this addition. Valadon, one of the first women to paint male nudity, reportedly added vine leaves at the request of the organizers of the 1920 Independence Salon, where the work was presented.
A work to discover in the exhibition “Suzanne Valadon” until 26 May 2025! Book your tickets: http://bit.ly/CP_ExpoValadon

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Although Suzanne Valadon is listed as the first woman to paint the nude, that isn’t a 100% correct. There were other women who came before her who lived in Italy, Germany, and the UK to paint the nude. She is the first one to receive praise and international recognition. The male in her painting was a man by the name of Jules. Jules was her sometime lover and due to his anatomy, the Salon made Valadon cover him up with a fig leaf. Whereas the female nudity is acceptable. Scholars in later decades felt the sexism of this act is illustrated. 

Kisses from PARIS!!!

FRENCH:

Adam et Ève 🍎

Dans cette œuvre, l’iconographie d’Adam et Ève est transformée par Suzanne Valadon, qui la rend plus intime et amoureuse. Elle se représente avec son amant, André Utter, dans un audacieux double portrait en pied. Ève est montrée frontalement, tandis qu’Adam est partiellement couvert par une ceinture de feuilles de vigne.

Une photographie d’un état antérieur révèle qu’Utter était initialement sans cet ajout. Valadon, l’une des premières femmes à peindre la nudité masculine, aurait ajouté les feuilles de vigne à la demande des organisateurs du Salon des Indépendants de 1920, où l’œuvre fut présentée.

Une œuvre à découvrir dans l’exposition « Suzanne Valadon » jusqu’au 26 mai 2025 ! Réservez vos billets: http://bit.ly/CP_ExpoValadon