Arkivism
Sacrifice of Cain and Abel
Public domain

Sacrifice of Cain and Abel

Johann Sadeler (I) · 1576 · engraving; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The brothers Cain and Abel each bring an offering. Cain's offering is rejected, for the smoke goes down. Abel's offering is accepted by God, the smoke goes up. A sunbeam shines on Abel, who kneels with his arms stretched to the sky. At the altar of the farmer Cain, vegetables and fruit lie. At the altar of the shepherd Abel, sheep lie. At the bottom, a reference to the biblical text in Gen. 4 in Latin. Print is part of an album.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineOffer van Kaïn en Abel. 1576. Johann Sadeler (I). Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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