Cain Killing Abel

c.1589

Jan Muller

Artist, Netherlandish, 1571 - 1628

Herman Jansz Muller

Publisher, Netherlandish, c. 1540 - 1617

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 35.1 x 41.8 cm (13 13/16 x 16 7/16 in.)
    sheet: 36.5 x 44.5 cm (14 3/8 x 17 1/2 in.)

  • Accession

    2012.92.573

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 29, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased either 1989 or 1998; [1] Gift to NGA, 2012.
The Kainens bought two impressions of this composition: one on May 15, 1989 from Hill-Stone and another on November 11, 1998 from Helmut Rumbler. There is no clear indication which impression they donated, although one could assume that the Rumbler impression was finer, and so the Kainens donated the later purchase.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2013

  • Northern Mannerist Prints from the Kainen Collection, NGA, 2013 - 2014.

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, no. 8, only

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (The Muller Dynasty, Jan Piet Filedt Kok, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-, no. 29, only

Inscriptions

below image, at left: Cor. Cornelij Harlemen / inuentor. / & Johan. Muller sculptor; below image, at right: Harmannus Muller / excudebat Amsterodamj; below image: Impius, eccè, Cain fratrem ingulauit Abelem, / Innocuo humectans sanguine primus hutmum. / Prò dolor! ex illo quot in orbe fuere Tyranni, / Queis terra innocuo tota cruore madet.; by later hand, lower verso in graphite: Kain sodlet Abel; M.C. Cornelis B29; by later hand, right verso in graphite: W/quod

Watermarks

watermark near center of left edge; partially obscured by media

Wikidata ID

Q76557216

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