Cain murdering Abel (plate 2 from The Story of Cain and Abel)

Art Historical Context

This poignant engraving, *Cain murdering Abel* (plate 2 from *The Story of Cain and Abel*), was created in 1576 by Flemish artist Michiel Coxie I, with engraving by the masterful Johann Sadeler I. Depicting the biblical fratricide from Genesis—where Cain slays his brother Abel in a fit of jealousy—this print captures a dramatic moment of human sin and divine judgment. Measuring 8 1/16 × 11 1/8 inches, it exemplifies the meticulous detail achievable in Renaissance-era engravings, a medium that allowed widespread dissemination of religious narratives through affordable, reproducible images. Coxie, a painter influenced by Italian masters like Raphael, provided the design, while Sadeler, a leading Antwerp engraver, translated it into intricate lines on a metal plate. Engravings like this were vital in the 16th century, bridging art and piety amid the Reformation's religious fervor, enabling laypeople to visualize scripture at home. The trimmed sheet highlights the print's intimate scale, perfect for collectors. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1953), this work underscores the era's blend of Mannerist drama and moral storytelling, inviting viewers to reflect on timeless themes of envy and retribution.