Adam and Eve Mourning the Death of Abel

ca. 1576

Not on view

The majority of autograph drawings by Michiel Coxie, who was also active as a painter and print designer, relate to prints. This sheet served as the model for the final engraving in a series of three depicting the history of Cain and Abel, of which the first plate is dated 1576. An impression of this print by Johannes I Sadeler, published in Antwerp by Gerard de Jode, is present in the Museum’s collection (acc. 53.601.17(64)). The composition and figure style, inspired by both antique and contemporary Italian models, illustrate well why Coxie, who spent the 1530s in Rome, earned the nickname of the "Netherlandish Raphael". Yet the penwork reflects the bolder style developed by the artist in his later years, as also evident in a sheet, dated 1578 and signed in the same manner as the Museum’s example, at the Crocker Art Art Gallery, Sacramento (acc. 1871.109). The subject of the first humans mourning their son killed by his brother is not found in the bible, but was inspired by the book of Genesis (chapter 4), and had been already treated in an engraving by Lucas van Leyden in 1529, and one from 1561 by Cornelis Cort after Coxie's contemporary Frans Floris.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Adam and Eve Mourning the Death of Abel
Artist: Michiel Coxie (I) (Netherlandish, Mechelen ca. 1499–1592 Mechelen)
Date: ca. 1576
Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, heightened with white gouache, over black chalk; framing lines in pen and brown ink, by the artist; incised for transfer; verso covered with red chalk for transfer
Dimensions: Sheet: 7 13/16 × 10 15/16 in. (19.9 × 27.8 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Frits and Rita Markus Fund, 2015
Object Number: 2015.483
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Adam and Eve mourning the death of Abel, plate 3 from "The Story of Cain and Abel", Johann Sadeler I Netherlandish, Engraving — Adam and Eve mourning the death of Abel, plate 3 from "The Story of Cain and Abel"
Johann Sadeler I
Michiel Coxie (I)
1576

The Ascension, Michiel Coxie (I) , prob. Netherlandish, Wool, silk, silver-gilt, silver thread (18-19 warps per inch, 7-8 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels — The Ascension
Multiple artists/makers
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The Last Supper, Michiel Coxie (I) , prob. Netherlandish, Wool, silk, silver-gilt, silver thread (18-19 warps per inch, 7-8 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels — The Last Supper
Multiple artists/makers
1540–45

Otto, Count of Nassau and his Wife Adelheid van Vianen, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Pen and brown ink, watercolor over black chalk (recto); tracing in black chalk of the figures on the recto (verso) — Otto, Count of Nassau and his Wife Adelheid van Vianen
Bernard van Orley
1530–35

Still Life with Flowers, a Snail and Insects, Joris Hoefnagel Netherlandish, Watercolor, gouache, and shell gold on vellum — Still Life with Flowers, a Snail and Insects
Joris Hoefnagel
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