Eve being tempted by the serpent
Antonio Begarelli (Modena, 1499-1565), Terra-cotta, life size
Statuary group on the facade of St.Benedict Abbey
San Benedetto Po, Italy
Despite broken in several points by the iconoclastic fury, here
the serpent is represented with human head.
In the story, in Genesis 3:1-5, Eve is tempted by a creature referred to as "He" and described simply as a serpent. Its only unusual features in the story are that it could speak and it was crawling on its belly after being cursed by God.
In art, from the Renaissance onwards, the serpent is clearly depicted as female. In a fresco by Michelangelo, for example, the serpent is shown with the upper body of a woman and snake-like lower parts.
Eve being tempted by the serpent
Antonio Begarelli (Modena, 1499-1565), Terra-cotta, life size
Statuary group on the facade of St.Benedict Abbey
San Benedetto Po, Italy
Despite broken in several points by the iconoclastic fury, here
the serpent is represented with human head.
In the story, in Genesis 3:1-5, Eve is tempted by a creature referred to as "He" and described simply as a serpent. Its only unusual features in the story are that it could speak and it was crawling on its belly after being cursed by God.
In art, from the Renaissance onwards, the serpent is clearly depicted as female. In a fresco by Michelangelo, for example, the serpent is shown with the upper body of a woman and snake-like lower parts.