1589
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Cain Killing Abel is a 1589 ink by Jan Muller, a Renaissance work, depicting Heracles, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows Cain looming over Abel’s body, a rock raised in his fist. Blood pools under Abel’s head. The brothers’ faces twist in anger and fear. Dark lines carve deep shadows across their bodies. The artist used cross-hatching, tiny crisscross lines, to build tone and texture. The background stays blank, pushing all focus to the brothers. Check out another engraving by Muller, Jan.
Jan Harmensz. Muller (1571–1628) was a Dutch engraver and painter. Muller was born in Amsterdam. His father was a book printer, engraver and publisher. He learned the engraving trade while working in the family…
See the richer artist page
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