14. And Adam knew Eve. . . Codex Vindob. 2980, Folio 43r, 94 x 79 mm. Placed before l. 1551 and illustrates ll. 1514-1528.
Rubric
How Adam and Eve lived together most lovingly, and how Eve became pregnant with her first childText
And when the penance had been completed, Adam came out of the water in which he had done his penance. Adam greeted Eve with many loving words. Love had begun to master him and (finally) rendered him, such was the power with which it stormed (his heart), unable to resist. He was at once forced to perform a strange act with Eve which is, however, in accordance with human nature whereby her virginity was lost. There and then she also conceived a child, as the love of both demanded it. They had never done it before, and both derived much happiness from it. (1514-1528, Translation by Halford, 1984, p. 263)Analysis
"Adam is shown embracing Eve. . . .In cycles of the Cotton recension Adam and Eve are shown in their marriage-bed because they were regarded as the founders of the institution of marriage. This is not, however, the purpose of our picture, which, like the text is at this point more concerned with the discovery of physical love." (Halford, 1980, pp. 21-22.)Bibliography
Halford, M-B. Illustration and Text in Lutwin's Eva und Adam: Codex Vindob. 2980, Goppinger Arbeiten zur Germanistik, 303; Stuttgart: Kummerle Verlag, 1980.Halford, M-b. Lutwin's Eva und Adam, Goppingen Arbeiten zur Germanistik, Goppingen: Kummerle Verlag, 1984.