Cain, 1917

ArtistLovis Corinth, Tapiau (Ostpreußen) 1858–1925 Zandvoort

Oil on canvas

Dimensions without frame140,3 × 115,2 cm

Dimensions with frame159,6 × 135,5 cm

Status

on display, room 019

About the workThe brutality of the biblical story of Cain murdering his brother Abel is expressed here in its entirety. The Berlin artist Lovis Corinth painted the picture towards the end of the First World War, when there was persistent talk of victory in Germany while the young were being swept away to their deaths. He chose the moment when Cain is trying to hide the body, but God tells him: “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.” Cain’s guilt finds its counterpart in the guilt of the warring parties at their own fratricide.

AccessionAcquisition 1986

Provenance[...]; bis mind. 1926 Charlotte Corinth, Berlin; o.D. Thomas Corinth erworben im Erbgang; 1986 angekauft von Thomas Corinth (Berlin 13.10.1904 - 1.3.1988 New York), New York, aus dem Nachlass des Künstlers

Inventory numberM 1986-4

Contact

sammlung@kunstpalast.de

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https://sammlung.kunstpalast.de/en/objects/435226/kain

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