Cain Killing Abel 1529

Lucas van Leyden created this engraving, *Cain Killing Abel*, in 1529, during the Northern Renaissance, a time marked by religious and social upheaval. Van Leyden situates us at the scene of fratricide, a foundational narrative in the Old Testament. The expressions and body language of the figures in the image convey a sense of the deep conflict and moral crisis. Abel lies beneath Cain’s foot. Cain raises his arm to strike him with a blunt weapon. Both figures are nude but partially draped with cloth, a classical reference to the male nude. The muscularity of their bodies emphasizes both power and vulnerability. In the background are the offerings they have brought, rejected and accepted. This image encapsulates the complexities of faith, morality, and human nature at a time of societal and religious transformation. It invites us to reflect on the nature of good and evil, and on the burdens of choice and consequence.