Offer van Kaïn en Abel c. 1665

This etching, "Offer van Kaïn en Abel," created by Gerard de Lairesse around 1665, depicts the biblical story of Cain and Abel. It is a powerful visual interpretation of the moment where Cain, consumed by jealousy and anger, murders his brother Abel after God favors Abel's offering over Cain's. The dramatic composition focuses on Cain's anguish, capturing the moment of the crime, while the landscape setting and the smoke rising from the burning sacrifice evoke the weight of the deed and the divine presence in this pivotal moment in human history. This is a significant piece in de Lairesse's oeuvre and provides insight into his artistic style and interpretation of biblical narratives.