Tintoretto’s “Adam and Eve” at the Accademia Galleries in Venice

Tintoretto (1518 – 31 May 1594) “The Temptation of Adam and Eve”

Painting – Oil on canvas (150 x 220 cm) 1550–1553

Adam and Eve are naked and barely covered by a few leaves to comply with the rules of modesty of the time.

Tintoretto, The Temptation of Adam and Eve, at the Accademia Galleries in Venice, Italy

The Temptation of Adam and Eve Eve is sitting, leaning against the apple tree, with her right arm wrapped round the trunk, whilst reaching out with her left arm towards Adam to offer him the forbidden fruit.

Just above Eve’s hand, one can see the head of the serpent, which, incidentally, looks more like a monster than a serpent, and which is also holding an apple in its mouth.

Adam is seated opposite her, but Tintoretto depicts him in a withdrawn posture; he is leaning backwards, as if frightened by the fruit Eve is holding out to him.

At the same time, his right arm is bent as he holds his chin.

One senses that he is hesitating, that he would very much like to, but… it is the forbidden fruit!

On the right-hand side and in the centre of the painting, Tintoretto has depicted the Angel driving them both out of the Garden of Eden after they have committed the sin.

The Temptation of Adam and Eve