The Second Temptation on folio 27r takes place as Adam and Eve stand together in a body of water, possibly a river or a lake, up to their middles. Adam appears to pursue Eve, and the illustration is dominated by the powerful and menacing silhouette of the Devil. In art there is precedent for kaleidoscoping narrative events for reasons of economy that the illustrator has successfully achieved here. This is the first appearance of the demon-like Devil. The way he is portrayed will remain fairly consistent throughout the manuscript: tall, with bat-like wings, horns, a bushy tail, and ugly clawed hands and feet that resemble the fearsome hook he wields in his right hand. He comes to them disguised as an angel suggested by the white hooded robe that partially covers his black body and his goat-like horns. He has red eyes and his red tongue is just visible behind his fangs. At this point Eve has listened to his false promises and assurances and is eager to climb out of the water and join him. Between them stands Adam looking sternly at Eve as he tries to dissuade her. The Devil's hook is very close to Adam's right shoulder but fails to touch him. To understand this peculiar scene a reader would have to understand its context, that is, be familiar with the stories told in the Vita Adae et Evae.
The Second Temptation on folio 27r takes place as Adam and Eve stand together in a body of water, possibly a river or a lake, up to their middles. Adam appears to pursue Eve, and the illustration is dominated by the powerful and menacing silhouette of the Devil. In art there is precedent for kaleidoscoping narrative events for reasons of economy that the illustrator has successfully achieved here. This is the first appearance of the demon-like Devil. The way he is portrayed will remain fairly consistent throughout the manuscript: tall, with bat-like wings, horns, a bushy tail, and ugly clawed hands and feet that resemble the fearsome hook he wields in his right hand. He comes to them disguised as an angel suggested by the white hooded robe that partially covers his black body and his goat-like horns. He has red eyes and his red tongue is just visible behind his fangs. At this point Eve has listened to his false promises and assurances and is eager to climb out of the water and join him. Between them stands Adam looking sternly at Eve as he tries to dissuade her. The Devil's hook is very close to Adam's right shoulder but fails to touch him. To understand this peculiar scene a reader would have to understand its context, that is, be familiar with the stories told in the Vita Adae et Evae.
