So parted they the Angel up to heaven From the thick shade and Adam to his bower Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The composition presents a scene of poignant farewell and transition. Here we observe two figures, a male and female, engaged in a gesture of parting. The man reaches out with his hand, seemingly attempting to restrain or comfort the woman as she moves away from him. She, in turn, appears to be leaning into his touch while simultaneously turning her gaze towards an unseen direction. Their bodies are rendered with a classical idealization, emphasizing their musculature and form within the natural setting.
Above them, ascending into a luminous space, is a winged figure – presumably angelic – radiating light that dominates the upper portion of the scene. This celestial presence establishes a clear vertical axis, visually separating the earthly realm occupied by the human figures from the divine sphere. The dense foliage forms a backdrop to this separation, creating a visual barrier between the two realms and contributing to a sense of enclosure around the pair.
The landscape itself is lush and overgrown, suggesting an environment teeming with life yet also hinting at potential concealment or obscurity. A rocky outcrop provides a perch for the woman, further emphasizing her movement away from the man who remains on lower ground. The artist employed a meticulous cross-hatching technique to create texture and depth within the foliage and landscape, lending a palpable weight and physicality to the scene.
Subtly embedded within this depiction are themes of loss, separation, and divine intervention. The woman’s movement suggests an inevitability – a departure from a shared state or existence. The mans gesture conveys both affection and a sense of helplessness in the face of this parting. The angelic figure hovering above introduces a layer of spiritual guidance or consequence, implying that the events unfolding are part of a larger divine plan.
The overall effect is one of melancholy and transition; a moment suspended between innocence and experience, earthly connection and celestial destiny. The stark contrast between light and shadow reinforces the emotional weight of the scene, highlighting the sorrowful nature of separation while simultaneously suggesting hope or redemption through the presence of the angelic figure.