Sarcophagus from Arles: Detail, Adam and Eve

330
Musée Réattu, Arles, France

There is no snake coiled around the tree. Instead, Satan is pictured as the man counseling Eve on the left half of the image. His tunic and trousers would have been associated with persons from the East. On the left half is a corresponding pair of figures, presumably Adam and God. Since Adam already has his fig leaf, their conversation would most likely be the one after the eating of the fruit (Genesis 3:8-12).

The sheaf to the right of the tree represents God's decree, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" (Genesis 3:19).

View the entire face of the sarcophagus.
Read more about images of Adam and Eve.

• Home Page
• Iconography of Adam and Eve
• This Page

Source: this page at Wikimedia Commons.