Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Speculum humanae salvationis
England, Yorkshire?, ca. 1400
MS M.766 fol. 23r

See more information »

Left column:
Eve: given to Adam by God-- Christ-Logos, crossed nimbus, is flanked by nude Adam, nimbed, and nude Eve. He joins their right hands together, holding each with one of his hands. Tree is at right.
Caption, DE OMNI LIGNO PARADISI COMMEDETIS. DE LIGNO AUT SCIENTE BONI ET MALE NE COMMEDATIS QUAMCUMQUE. II. HORA COMMEDITIS EX EO MORIEMINI, is inscribed above scene.
Right column:
Serpent, with head of woman (Lilith), bird-claw feet, and serpent-like tail, is surrounded by scroll inscribed CUR P(RAE)CEPIT UOBIS DE(US) UT NO(N) CO(M)MEDERITIS DE LIG(NO) HOC. NEQUAQUA(M) MORIEMINI ET ERITIS SICUT DII SCIENTES BO(NUM), and is facing nude Eve holding with right hand, scroll inscribed NE FORTE MORIAMUR.
Caption, DIABOLUS DECEPIT EUAM PER SERPENTEM, is inscribed above scene.