Kaïn slaat Abel dood 1720 - 1728

Jacobus Baptist created this print, *Kaïn Slaat Abel Dood*, around 1700 using etching. The composition is dominated by two nude figures struggling in the foreground, dramatically lit against a darkened landscape filled with foreboding details such as smoke and a meteor. The sharp contrast heightens the emotional intensity of the scene. Baptist uses the formal elements to convey a complex narrative about fratricide. The bodies of Cain and Abel are rendered with dynamic lines, showing movement and tension. The landscape is not merely a backdrop but an active participant, reflecting the moral chaos unleashed by Cain's actions. The landscape is charged with underlying symbolism. The choice of line and the arrangement of figures suggests a universe thrown into disarray, challenging any stable meaning. The artist questions fixed values and engages with new ways of thinking about morality and consequence through formal techniques.