Study for an Illustration for 'Dalziel's Bible Gallery': 'Cain and Abel'

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Drawing details

Title: Study for an Illustration for 'Dalziel's Bible Gallery': 'Cain and Abel'
Date: 1863-64
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 18.8 x 16.3 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/1047
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "No 99" in pen and ink.

Interpretation

Leighton depicted the dead body of Abel lying on rocks in the background, while Cain is shown in the foreground, fleeing from the scene (Genesis 4).

Description

Traced study for the composition of the illustration 'Cain and Abel', for 'Dalziel's Bible Gallery' (1862-64, published 1881). 

Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist to his sisters, Mrs. Augusta Matthews (nTe Augusta Neunburg Leighton, 1835-1919) and Mrs. Alexandra Orr (nTe Alexandra Leighton, 1828-1903); presented to the Royal Academy of Arts, London by Matthews and Orr in 1896