Dimensions: 28 1/8 × 9 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. (71.44 × 24.13 × 24.13 cm) (approx.)
Copyright: Public Domain
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux sculpted this bronze, "Eve Tempted," capturing a pivotal moment steeped in symbolism. Eve stands beside the Tree of Knowledge, entwined by a serpent bearing the form of a playful child. The serpent, an ancient symbol, embodies primal energy and temptation, yet here, it’s childlike, hinting at innocence corrupted. This evokes a sense of unease, mirroring the psychoanalytic concept of the "unheimlich"—familiar yet disturbingly alien. Eve’s gesture of contemplation, finger to her lips, is reminiscent of classical depictions of Venus, goddess of love, a motif that evolved from antiquity to the Renaissance and beyond. Such gestures resurface across epochs, from Botticelli's Venus to modern advertising, subtly influencing our desires. Here, the sculptor taps into the collective memory and subconscious urges, engaging the viewer in a timeless drama of choice and consequence. The image isn't just a biblical scene, but a mirror reflecting our own internal struggles.
Comments
This figure tells part of the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Carpeaux, whose sculpture reflects the refinement and elegance so popular during the Second Empire in France, was famous for original and even daring representations of traditional themes. The sense of life and movement he gave to his subjects set him apaprt from other artists of the time.
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