Not currently on view
In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of August 2026
FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG
In the 1540s Italian artist Luca Penni worked at the French king François I’s court at Fontainebleau. He created this image of the temptation of Eve (etched by Jean Mignon) by directly quoting Michelangelo’s figure of Eve from the Fall of Man scene on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The twisting serpent around the tree and the figure of Adam to the left—though altered from Michelangelo’s original—are still reminiscent of the earlier composition. Penni added his own unique elements, such as a landscape scene with animals and a decorative border featuring grotesques, cornucopias, and scrollwork.
Be the first to share your thoughts.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Designs for Terms
The Adoration of the Magi
The Judgment of Paris
Design for a Term with the Head of Woman, Strapwork and Trop
Term in the Form of an Old Man Warming His Hands
Term in the Form of a Woman with Musical Instrument
Male Terminal Figure; Torso with Beard and Turban on a Half-
Mary Magdalen carried to Heaven
Luca Penni|Jean Mignon — Temptation in the Garden
Lucas Cranach the Elder — Adam and Eve in Paradise
Robert Boissard (French, 1570–after 1603) — Adam and Eve
Wenceslaus Hollar|Hans Holbein the Younger — Garden of Eden,
Lucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) — The Penance of St. John 
Lucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) — Adam and Eve in Paradise
Giorgio Ghisi (Italian, 1520–1582) — The Death of Procris
Abraham Waesberge|Albrecht Dürer — Engraved copies of The Li
Jan (Johannes) Wierix|Albrecht Dürer — Adam and Eve (copy)
Hans Holbein the Younger|Hans Lützelburger — Fall (or Tempta
Augustin Hirschvogel — Adam and Eve Eating the Forbidden Fru
Jan (Johannes) Wierix|Albrecht Dürer — Adam and Eve