The Temptation of Christ

The painting illustrates the Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Lent (Matthew 4:1-11) and depicts the three temptations of Christ: changing the stone offered to him by the devil into bread, throwing himself from the Temple with the help of angels, and receiving all the visible riches from the top of the rocky peak.

In the foreground stands the Château de Mehun-sur-Yèvre, which the Duke of Berry had transformed into a luxurious residence by the architect Guy de Dammartin. It is "one of the most beautiful houses in the world," according to Jean Froissart. The ducal coat of arms is visible nine times. Renowned for the beauty of its towers and the luxury of its interior decoration, the Duke of Berry's favorite residence became an object of desire for Christ himself. In the foreground, a bear perched in a tree seems to be taunting a lion.