Cain fleeing after having slain Abel
After Matthias Stom Dutch
? Anonymous, Italian, 17th century Italian
Not on view
The print reproduces in reverse a painting attributed to Matthias Stomer (Stom) now in the Palazzo Abatellis, Palermo (inv.no.900) that depicts an episode from the Old Testament Book of Genesis. Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. The older son Cain was a farmer and Abel a shepherd. Both brothers made offerings to God - Cain produce from his land, Abel portions of fat from his flock. God preferred Abel's sacrifice instead of Cain's. Cain then murdered his brother, whereupon God condemned Cain to a life of wandering. The print shows Cain fleeing immediately after killing his brother.
Stomer was Dutch painter who was active in Italy and lived in Naples, where he was greatly influenced by Jusepe de Ribera. For the painting see: 'Pittori del Seicento a Palazzo Abatellis', Palermo, Galleria Reginale della Sicilia 1990, cat.no. 25 (Vincenzo Abbate)
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