Lamech and Cain
1524
Lucas van Leyden captures a grim biblical mix-up in this 1524 scene. A bearded hunter, Lamech, is being guided by a young boy to shoot an arrow at a bush—unaware he's about to accidentally kill his own ancestor, Cain, who is cowering in the background. It's a darkly ironic twist on a hunting accident, rendered with incredible detail typical of the Northern Renaissance. The date '1524' and the artist's monogram 'L' are clearly stamped in the sky, marking this as a masterful example of van Leyden's work.
- Technique
- engraving
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