Death of Abel
1551
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1551
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Death of Abel is a 1551 ink by Etienne Delaune, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a dramatic scene of two figures—one kneeling, one lying on the ground. The background is packed with swirling clouds, ornate frames, and small figures hiding in corners. At the bottom, a wavy line looks like water or fire, and strange creatures peek out from the edges. The scene is packed with tiny details, like the crown above the figures and the letter "C" in a decorative cartouche. The artist used lines to build up shadows and textures, making everything look carved from stone. Try looking up cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with just lines.
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