George Frederic Watts

Eve Tempted

exhibited 1884

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Not on display
Artist
George Frederic Watts 1817–1904
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 2578 x 1168 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Presented by the artist 1897
Reference
N01643

Display caption

Watts called these three paintings The Eve Trilogy. They represent Eve’s ascension to life, her temptation and her grief after her downfall. In her temptation she is shown greedily entwined with the apple tree. The dissolving forms of the central work correspond to the idea of Eve rising up in an explosion of light and colour. By contrast, the heaviness of flesh in the final work suggests her burden of sin and guilt.

Gallery label, July 2007

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Symbolism

Film and audio

Still image of George Frederic Watts - The Eve Trilogy

George Frederic Watts - The Eve Trilogy

Tate curator of 19th century British art, Alison Smith, talks about five George Frederic Watts works in the Tate Collection

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George Frederic Watts, ‘Eve Repentant’ c.1865–97

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George Frederic Watts ‘She shall be called woman’

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George Frederic Watts, ‘Love and Life’ c.1884–5

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George Frederic Watts, ‘Psyche’ 1880

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George Frederic Watts, ‘Mammon’ 1884–5

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1884–5
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George Frederic Watts, ‘The All-Pervading’ 1887–90

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1887–90
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George Frederic Watts, ‘The Dweller in the Innermost’ c.1885–6

George Frederic Watts The Dweller in the Innermost

c.1885–6
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George Frederic Watts, ‘Death Crowning Innocence’ 1886–7

George Frederic Watts Death Crowning Innocence

1886–7
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Arthur Hacker, ‘The Annunciation’ 1892

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1892
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art N01576
George Frederic Watts, ‘‘For he had great possessions’’ 1894

George Frederic Watts ‘For he had great possessions’

1894
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George Frederic Watts and assistants, ‘Chaos’ c.1875–82

George Frederic Watts and assistants Chaos

c.1875–82
N01647
George Frederic Watts and assistants, ‘Hope’ 1886

George Frederic Watts and assistants Hope

1886
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art N01640
George Frederic Watts, ‘Sic Transit’ 1891–2

George Frederic Watts Sic Transit

1891–2
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George Frederic Watts, ‘The Minotaur’ 1885

George Frederic Watts The Minotaur

1885
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George Frederic Watts, ‘Faith’ c.1890–6

George Frederic Watts Faith

c.1890–6
N01639