The Dead Abel 1832

Thomas Cole's 1832 painting, *The Dead Abel*, depicts a scene from the biblical story of Cain and Abel. In the foreground, Abel lies dead, his body sprawled across the barren landscape. His death is symbolic of the fall of innocence and the consequences of envy. A small figure, possibly Cain, stands in the distance, near a large, fiery inferno, further emphasizing the themes of violence and divine judgment. This dramatic scene exemplifies Cole's mastery of the Romantic style, where natural elements are used to convey powerful emotions and spiritual truths.