The temptation of Eve by the serpent

Hieronymus Bosch completed this small study around 1485-1490, depicting the biblical moment when the serpent tempts Eve in the Garden of Eden. Two human figures stand near a tree where the serpent coils, offering forbidden fruit. The sketch exemplifies Bosch's fascination with sin and temptation.

This work belongs to Bosch's Northern Renaissance period, though his fantastical imagery stands apart from his contemporaries. The drawing shows his careful attention to detail even in preparatory works. It now resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.