Cain Slaying Abel, a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. Painted between 1608 and 1609, the painting is oil on oak. A dark haired, bearded Cain stands over his brother, right arm raised holding a club, his left hand grasping Abel by the throat. Cain is naked except for a loing cloth. Abel sits on the ground, naked, one knee raised as if trying to get up, his right arm raised over his head, his muscles straining. He looks up at his brother, mouth open in pain. In the background is a fire with Abel's burn offering, smoke and flames rising.