Lilith with a Snake 1886

John Collier painted Lilith with a Snake during a time when biblical and mythological subjects offered artists a canvas to explore themes of sexuality and morality. Lilith, according to ancient Jewish folklore, was Adam's first wife, who, demanding equality, left him and the Garden of Eden. Collier’s depiction frames Lilith not as a fallen woman, but as an autonomous figure. The snake, a symbol of temptation, is entwined around her body almost as an ornament, suggesting her embrace of forbidden knowledge and power. Note the contrast between Lilith's serene expression and the conventional portrayal of Eve, who is often depicted as ashamed and repentant. Collier's Lilith reflects an alternative narrative that challenges the established patriarchal order. This artwork invites us to reconsider the traditional story of woman’s creation and fall, giving prominence to a figure who dared to defy divine authority.