Seven Deadly Sins: Envy

Envy ; In imitation of the famous Triumph of Petrarch, Coecke van Aelst designed a similar set devoted to the Seven Deadly Sins. On her chariot, Envy, with snakes in her hair, devours the laurel wreath of others' fame. The chariot is surrounded by examples of this vice, such as Apelles and Antiphilus, two artists shown here with set squares and small sculptures. The large nude figure with a sheaf of wheat is Cain, who murdered his brother Abel from envy. Exceptionally a French libretto for this set has survived (in Madrid) with the program intended for the weaver.