Temptation of Man

Allegory on the vanity of man. A naked woman (Vanitas) lies on a canopy bed, observed by Impudicity (Impudicitia), a satyr who pulls back the sheet and lets a plumb bob swing near her pubic area. At her feet lie attributes of science and warfare. Under her pillow lie earthly riches falling from the bed and disappearing through a hole in the floor. The bed is decorated with warning scenes from the Old Testament: on the left, Solomon's idolatry, and on the right, Delilah cutting off Samson's hair. Far left stands a man, the Worldly Man (Mundanus Homo), exposed to the seductive naked women in the room. Next to him are Perishing Pleasure (Peritura Voluptas) and Fleeting Joy (Brevis Laetitia). Far right is Carnal Lust (Caro), holding a rope tied to a trapdoor on which the man stands. The scene is clarified by Dutch, French, and German inscriptions in the margin.