I have a fig tree growing in my front yard and they are almost ripe, but it seems as though the deer get to the figs before I do. But, when a neighbor gave me a time-tested recipe for the most delicious, decadent fig cake, I got ahold of some beautiful purple figs at Trader Joe's and got to work. I tried to make use of the them in every way I could before I losing their sweet, delicate flavor and jewel-like color. Of course, they became the subject for a quick still life, as seen below. But the best part of all was researching a bit about figs and what I found out was more than I could have imagined!

Did you know that it is generally understood by historians, that Eve did not tempt Adam with an apple?  The apple has gotten a bad rap all this time just because the word for "evil" and the word for "apple" are very similar.  From my research, I found a theory that the Latin words for "evil" and "apple" are so similar that St. Jerome, while translating the bible from Greek to Latin, decided to make a joke and say that Eve ate an apple, instead of correctly saying that she ate an "evil". Since every educated Christian in St. Jerome's time (the late-fourth and early-fifth century) knew Latin, people back then may have understood the joke. But, almost no one does now.  Looking at early paintings of the scene in the Garden of Eden, we can check out one in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, by Michelangelo.  There, when you look closely, the tree is definitely a fig tree, with the unmistakable round-edged leaves.  And apples were native to Asia, not the Mediterranean, it makes them unlikely to be Eve's weapon of choice. So what fruit was really responsible for all the trouble? The Fig.

Temptation by Michelangelo

More research into Michelangelo and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel tells me that Michelangelo, who considered himself primarily a sculptor not a painter, was "commissioned" to paint the ceiling of the church for Pope Julius II. During the Renaissance, painting a ceiling was not a great job. His contemporaries were painting walls, and unlike common thought, he did not paint it on his back, but did it by reaching overhead while standing on scaffolding---Hard, arduous work---And for a terrible boss who he disliked immensely.

Michelangelo had done prior sculpting work for the Pope and was not paid, and this powerful pope could not be refused. In addition, Michelangelo was not in agreement with the Catholic Church and it's hold on the people. He felt that people should have a direct connection to God (Humanism) and not through an entity,  like the church. So, way up there, 68 feet above the ground, Michelangelo painted his distaste of the Church and the pope.  

Enter:  the Fig.  This time, though, I'm not exactly talking about the fruit.  This is more like a hand gesture.  An obscene hand gesture back then that would have been similar to flipping someone "The Bird" today.  Without giving you an image, let's just say that if you ever played "I've Got Your Nose!", then you've made the gesture.  (Not a game to play in Italy.)  In any case, Michelangelo used his opportunities of scaffold draperies and distance to hide the gestures in his panel paintings from Julius II.  One of them is of prophet Zechariah, painted in the pope's likeness and incorporated puttis (angels!) giving "the fig" behind Zechariah's head.  

If you are curious about seeing more of fig gestures and other possible "hidden" images painted into the Sistine Chapel, here is a quick article that mentions a few:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/2163492/Michelangelo-hid-secret-code-in-Sistine-Chapel.html  It really is incredible how genius Michelangelo was...and how much thought he put into this huge protest work.  I love the thought of art-activism, and this, to me, is quite mind-blowing!  So, the next time you have an opportunity to eat a fig, think of it's role in art history.  And if you would like the recipe for the incredible Fig Cake, see below:

Fresh Fig Cake  (thank you, Ms. Darlene!)  

2 cups sugar

1/2 c. oil

3 eggs

1 1/2 c. pureed fresh figs (about 6 large)

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg 

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 c. milk

1 c  chopped pecans (hold off 2 T. for garnish)

Combine sugar and oil and beat well.  Add eggs one at a time.  Add fig puree, spices, soda and salt.  Add flour and milk alternately.  Mix well.  Stir in nuts.  Pour into tube pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes and 325 for 20 minutes.  Remove cake from oven and pour glaze over cake.  Sprinkle reserved pecans over the top.  Let stand in pan until just warm before removing cake.  (Do not turn upside down!  This is a soft cake!)

Glaze:  Combine in saucepan:  1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 c milk, 1/2 c butter.  Bring to a boil and simmer 2 1/2 minutes.  

Till next time!

Mary