Offerings of Cain and Abel 1685 - 1699

Leonardus Quesi's "Offerings of Cain and Abel," a black and white drawing on paper, is a depiction of the biblical story of the brothers' offerings to God. Created between 1685 and 1699, the artwork features Cain kneeling before a fire and offering produce, while Abel presents a lamb. In the distance, figures can be seen in a wooded landscape, likely representing the Garden of Eden. Quesi, an artist of the Dutch Golden Age, was known for his detailed drawings and meticulous rendering of figures and landscapes. This small-scale work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the artist's ability to capture the complexities of a biblical narrative.