Cain and Abel 1886

"Cain and Abel," created in 1886 by the French Symbolist artist Odilon Redon, depicts the biblical story of Cain murdering his brother Abel. The lithograph, housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Redon's distinctive style, employing dark tones and a dreamlike atmosphere. The dramatic composition, with Cain raising his weapon over a prone Abel, evokes a sense of tension and impending tragedy. The background's shadowy forms and the stark contrast of light and dark enhance the emotional intensity of the scene.