Description
Arbor viciorum in colours and gold. The diagram from c. 1310 AD shows that the Tree of Vices has its root (radix) in superbia and that this tree grows from the Original Sin of Adam and Eve. As narrated in the Book of Genesis, Eve was deceived by a serpent into eating fruit from the forbidden tree, which she did (as it is represented in the image) and got Adam to have some too. From this act of disobedience to God, humanity inherited sin. Like the seven deadly sins or capital vices listed by the Catholic Church, the tree has seven branches of circular clusters, each representing one of the seven vices and its seven subsidiaries. The image also features birds, owls, and a moth perched in the branches. At the lower right corner, a proud man sits, dressed as a peasant with a scythe in his right hand, and next to him and looking at him is a devil, pointing to an organic motif: and one sees a partially tumbled harvest. At the bottom left depicts a rich miser sitting and holding a bag with gold coins, with a devil perched on his shoulder.
Bibliography
Catalogue of Manuscripts in The British Museum, New Series, 1 vol. in 2 parts (London: British Museum, 1834-1840), I, part 1: The Arundel Manuscripts, p. 22-23.
