Cain and Abel Spandrels - Bourge Cathedral

walwyn Tue, 08/03/2021 - 21:54
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Created between 1240-1260 these carvings in the spandrels of Bourges Cathedral tell the story of Cain and Abel.

After their expulsion from Eden, Adam and Eve start a family with their sons Cain and Abel.

 

 

Cain grows crops whist Abel is a shepherd. When the two brothers come to make a sacrifice to God Cain's offering of grain and fruit is rejected whilst Abel's offering of a blood sacrifice is accepted.

 

 

In anger Cain kills Abel, and whilst Abel calls out for vengence God says that no one should harm Cain.

 

 

The blind Lamech a descendent of Cain is a skiled hunter and goes hunting with his son Tubel-Cain.

 

Hearing a noise in the bushes and thinking it is an Tubal directs Lamech to fire his bow.

 

 

However, the noise is that of Cain and the arrow stikes and kills him.